Dr. Duane G. Meyer, Missouri State University’s sixth president, passed away Nov. 22 at age 89.

Meyer served as president from 1971-83. During that time, Southwest Missouri State College was renamed Southwest Missouri State University.

Current President Clifton M. Smart III remembered Meyer as a gracious, well-liked leader.

“President Meyer led our university with grace and humility,” said Smart. “He oversaw our growth from a regional college to a true university. He is remembered fondly by colleagues and former students and his legacy lives on through the Duane G. Meyer Library.”

University changed under his leadership

When Meyer was appointed as president, he had served as acting president twice before and had also served as the first dean of faculty.
In “Daring to Excel: The First 100 Years of Southwest Missouri State University” published in 2005, Dr. Donald Landon wrote: “It seemed important to President Meyer to remember who he was. He kept an ear of corn on his desk from the family farm where he was raised in Iowa.”

In October 2012, the Greene County Historical Society presented Meyer with its Lifetime Achievement Award and Sen. Roy Blunt recognized him from the U.S. Senate floor. In part, Blunt said: “Dr. Meyer’s leadership and dedication to excellence have reshaped one of the region’s great universities and benefited countless students who have passed through its halls.”

Academics, campus expanded

Academic developments during the Meyer administration included adding specialist degrees, associate degrees and a cooperative education program.

The University also established research and service centers and created an office of grants to encourage faculty research.

KSMU, the campus FM public radio station, was also launched during his tenure.

While other colleges were experiencing static or declining enrollments, then-SMSU experienced a 62 percent increase in enrollment between 1971 and 1983, becoming the second largest four-year public institution in the state.

Three classroom buildings and four new residence halls were added to the campus, which had expanded to 125 acres.

The first public-private facility project came in 1976 when Hammons Student Center was built.

Private support for needed capital improvements led to the establishment of the SMSU Foundation, ending the tradition of naming new buildings after legendary faculty and staff. The Duane G. Meyer Library was the last facility to be named in honor of a faculty member.

Photography by MSU Photo Services