The Board of Governors met two weeks ago. Last week I told you about their approval of a $4.1 million contract to design the renovation of and addition to Temple Hall.
The board took several other important actions during their committee and regular meetings.
Natalie McNish named internal auditor
The Risk Management and Audit Committee interviewed finalists for the position of internal auditor. I am pleased to report that after those interviews the board hired Natalie McNish.
Natalie began working for the State of Missouri in the State Auditor’s office in 2006. She has worked in the university’s office of internal audit and risk management since 2017, serving as the interim director since December of last year.
The board and I look forward to continuing to work with Natalie, and I hope you will join me in congratulating her.
Update on graduate programs
In the Programs and Planning Committee, the board received a presentation about graduate education at MSU.
The presentation focused on our dramatic growth of graduate degree programs, enrollment and awards.
The board discussed next steps in MSU’s Graduate College, including efforts to emerge as a state leader in professional doctoral programs.
Welcoming an emerging news organization
The board approved an agreement with the Springfield Daily Citizen. The Springfield Daily Citizen is a nonprofit news organization emerging in our community.
The Daily Citizen will provide consistent in-depth public affairs journalism published online.
Under the agreement, the Daily Citizen will be located on campus in Freudenberger House at no cost.
Naming Bronze Bear and Government Excellence awards
The board approved a resolution to award the Bronze Bear Award to Tim and Judy Reynolds and the Government Excellence Award to Clay Goddard.
Tim and Judy Reynolds attended MSU, and Judy worked for the university for many years. They have financially supported numerous programs and initiatives at Missouri State.
Most recently, they were responsible for a significant gift to support scholarships for students in the College of Arts and Letters, resulting in the board naming the college the Judith Enyeart Reynolds College of Arts and Letters.
Clay Goddard, a two-time alumnus of Missouri State University, invested his entire career in public service with the City of Springfield and the Springfield-Greene County Health Department.
As the director of health during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, he provided extraordinary leadership to protect our community, mitigate the spread of COVID-19 and save lives.
The Bronze Bear Award and the Government Excellence Award will be presented at our commencement ceremonies this December.
Showcasing points of pride for MSU
I provided updates to the board on COVID-19 and enrollment and showed them the new What’s New At MSU Video.
Frank Einhellig presented the new Mind’s Eye publication and highlights from the fall 2021 Bears Care survey.
Elizabeth Walker, this year’s public affairs fellow, presented a report on the Public Affairs Conference.
The board also received presentations on the student emergency fund and on MarCom’s award-winning success in supporting university advancement with video, writing, design and events.
Thanks for all you do for Missouri State!