Missouri Southern State University - Crossroads Yearbook (Joplin, MO)

Page 24 text:

22 A day with the President (continued] 10:05 —Leon gives a check to Kolkmeyer for the Alumni Founda¬ tion, saying someone would come by later to pick it up. 10:07—The President returns another phone call. 10:09—Leon takes a phone call. 10:15 —Leon goes to an ajoining office for a cup of coffee. 10:18—A phone call is made. 10:43—Another call is made. 10:51 —Dr. Steven Gale, head of the Honors Committee, stops by to confirm a scheduled campus visit from a prospective Honors student. Leon usually meets with these students when they visit campus. 11:01 —Leon asks Kolkmeyer to have some materials copied and sent to members of the Ad¬ ministrative Council. 11:03 —Leon visits Dr. Floyd Belk, vice president for academic affairs. 11:18 —Leon calls Dr. Joe Lambert, head of the English department, to confirm an ap¬ pointment to speak to English ma¬ jors that Friday. They then discuss the Administrative Council meeting. 11:36—Leon steps into Shipman s office. The remainder of the morn¬ ing was spent reviewing the mail, holding a series of brief meetings with Belk and Shipman, giving directions to the secretary, and talking on the telephone. ' He manages his time real well, ' said Kolkmeyer. He doesn ' t piddle around on things that are not im¬ portant. Kolkmeyer, who is refer¬ red to by Leon as the keeper of the gates, schedules his trips and of¬ fice appointments. 11:45 —Leon leaves campus for a Kiwanis Club luncheon at the Holi¬ day Inn. According to Leor Kiwanis is a civic organizatio made up of people interested! serving their community. 11:57 —Leon arrives at the lui cheon. He discusses the recentl completed Phon-A-Thon, the La( Lions ' basketball team, and othi topics with fellow members. 1:15 p.m.—Leon returns to car pus. He takes the messages fro his secretary. 1:35 —Leon meets with a studen 1:50—Leon makes a phone ca 2:00—The President has a sta ding weekly appointment at th time with Dr. Glenn Dolence, del of students. Dolence is accor panied by Humphrey and Jam Gilbert, director of financial aids, meet with the President every Tue day to discuss student conceri that may arise, said Dolence. (Top) Gwen Hunt, director of public information, meets with Dr. Leon. (Right) Glenn Dolence, James Gilbert, and Richard Humphrey discuss student financial aids with the President. — Fhotos by Ed Hill Leon □

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Leon continues the meeting by talking about the mission of the College. ' Primarily, we are a teaching institution, he says. That ' s where our success is going to be. We have already been a suc¬ cess in our graduates...We have not distinguished ourselves in research, and we cannot afford to go in the direction of research. F In marketing, if the product is good enough, it will sell. If the pro¬ duct is not good enough, it doesn ' t take people long to find out you are not telling the truth. The product is the most important thing and that depends on the kind of teaching we have within the four walls. More non-profit institutions are becoming involved in marketing and strategy planning. We are in the people business. We need to be alert, to give good service to our students and parents. It is tremen¬ dously important. People will remember our service and the way we deliver. We need to get away from the notion that all the teaching needs to take place on this campus. We must continue our public relations efforts. We cannot rely on word-of-mouth. Things are begin¬ ning to happen...We have a battle on our hands. As department heads, you need to concentrate on what you can do to help the Col¬ lege. 8:45 —Leon concludes his presentation to the Council with: I feel it is important to express to faculty the direction we need to go. Richard Humphrey, director of ad¬ missions, and Robert Nickolaisen, assistant dean of technology, then addressed the administrators. 9:17—The meeting is dismissed. As Leon leaves, he speaks briefly with Dr. Vonnie Prentice, head of the biology department. Vonnie, have you checked with Dave Throop (purchasing agent) about that equipment? 9:25—Leon arrives at his office and begins to read his mail. 9:27 —Leon meets with Marilyn Jacobs, president of the Faculty Senate, to discuss the Senate agen¬ da for the remainder of the year. 9:45—The meeting with Jacobs ends. Dr. Paul Shipman, vice presi¬ dent for business affairs, then meets with Leon. 10:01—Shipman departs, and Leon returns two telephone calls. (Top) Dr. Leon asks his secretary, Dorothy Kolkmeyer, to copy materials. (Above) Dr. Leon makes one of many phone calls during the day. — Photos by Ed Mill Leon □

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course, we talk more than once a week. Today we are looking at financial aid concerns, among other things.” 3:50—The meeting with Dolence, Humphrey, and Gilbert ends. 3:52—Gwen Hunt, director of public information, has a meeting with Leon. can see him whenever I need to—whenever there are pro¬ jects that need to be discussed,” she said. Its sort of free¬ wheeling—we communicate whenever we feel it is necessary” Hunt and Leon discuss a promo¬ tional strategy campaign to be started at the end of the month. We are constantly looking at ways to continue to tell our story to the public, keeping the College before the public,” said Hunt. 4:30—Hunt leaves. Leon then spends some time in his office go¬ ing over paperwork. 6:05—With briefcase in hand, Leon calls it a day at the office. He goes home to eat dinner. 7:15—Leon returns to the campus to watch a basketball playoff game at Young Gymnasium involving the Lady Lions. His wife, Vivian, and Nathan are present. The Leon family goes home after the basketball game. The Presi¬ dents day has ended, but the next day he will take a 6:05 a.m. flight on Ozark Airlines to Jefferson City for his meeting with Aery. (Top) President Leon makes a note after a telephone conversation. (Above) Dr. Leon opens the door to Hearnes Hall for George Volmert, registrar. — Photos by Ed Mill Leon □ 23