Truman State University - Echo Yearbook (Kirksville, MO)

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From a very early age Education leads the life I could have kept on working in the grocery store like I had been doing for twenty-five cents an hour, but I decided that since I had graduated from high school. I would prefer a real job, So I started school when I was four vears old. As a re- sult. McClain graduated from high school in 1947 at the age of 15. With a law degree in mind. McClain applied and was accepted to the Universi- ty of Missouri-Columbia. After obtaining a college degree, the next step for Mc- Clain was to find a summer job. One of his options was to teach elementary students in the Meramec State Park area for $125 a month. Because money was so scarce and he had a chance to earn what appeared to be a lot of money. McClain decided to teach during the school year and attend Southwest Missouri State University. As things turned out. this seem- ingly trivial decision changed the direction of his career. For the next 11 years. Mc- Clain worked as a teacher, principal and superintendent while finishing nis doctorate at UMC. Armed with a doc- torate in education. McClain was offered a job at UMC as a faculty member and another job as the first presi- dent of a community college in Jefferson County. The challenge of starting a new college was too attrac- tive for me. said McClain. From 1963 to 1970. McClain built the staff and the campus of Jefferson Community Col- lege. 1 le said the college was one of the model communi- ty colleges in the nation. In 1967. the presidency of the University opened up with the retirement of Dr. Walter H. Ryle. McClain ap- plied. but Clark Elkins took the position. Elkins resigned from the job in 1970. leaving the position open once again. McClain was not enthusiastic about reapplying, but he was eventually persuaded to ap- ply informally. Surely, at some time this job will either cease to be fun or it will become apparent that new leadership is need- ed. said McClain. 1 wouldn't mind teaching. I did not aim to be an ad- ministrator ... to me. teaching is the highest call- ing. he said. Because McClain was once a teacher, his respect for the position was immeasurable. said Charles McClain. University president. Mc- Clain did just that by working his way up from those hum- ble beginnings to become chief administrator at a state university. I had wanted to go into law.” said McClain about his ■ambitions as a high school student. However, because of certain variables. McClain was suddenly teaching students at the elementary level. Born in Iron County in 1931. McClain started school at an early age because his mother was a school teacher. Rather than get a babysit- ter.” he said, she decided that I would just start school. Distinctive look — President Charles McClain attends meetings as jNirt of his daily routine and job responsibilities McClain assumed the presidency of the University in 1970 — Photo by Joni Kuchl Pizza party — A slice of the pic is dinner for President Charles Mc- Clain. at one of the Pizza with the President events held on several Sunday nights in the second — Photo by Roxanc Kolich From this respect. McClain built a bond with the faculty and staff of the University that also benefited the students in the long run. “There are great rewards to teaching. he said. One of them is knowing that what you are doing is having an impact on the immediate future. To be a vood teacher takes hard work. To be a great teacher takes tremen- dous effort. McClain said. Of course, such dedication to others took an enormous amount of time and work. Some people may view me as a workaholic, but as long as one enjoys what he is do- ing. I see no reason why that person can't work 50-60 hours a week. McClain said. For 15 years McClain not only set higher standards in education at the University, but also across the nation. He said. I view myself as an ac- tivist for improving educa- tion. My challenge is to help people grow and build themselves. — Steve Ward — Academics = 15 = President

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Academics = 14 = President

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Academics = 16 = Vice President and Deans