Each year, Missouri State University recognizes people who go above and beyond for our university, community and state through the Government Excellence and Bronze Bear awards.
For 2025, the Board of Governors voted at its meeting last Friday to present Sen. Sandy Crawford with the Government Excellence Award and Bill Rowe with the Bronze Bear Award.
Dedicated to public service
The Government Excellence Award honors a current or former elected or appointed government official for extraordinary achievement and exemplary support of the university.
After a 30-year banking career, Sen. Crawford, a 1995 alum, served in the Missouri House of Representatives from 2010-17. Following that, she was elected to the Missouri Senate and has served in that role since August 2017.
In the Senate, she has championed a broad range of legislation, advancing priorities that span agriculture, banking, education and local government and elections. Her support for Missouri State is among her key educational priorities.
As part of the Senate Appropriations Committee since 2021, she advocated for significant appropriations for the university. This included over $40 million for the Roy Blunt Hall addition and renovation. This year, she carried House Bill 419 in the Senate – the first measure passed this session to include language authorizing Missouri State to offer PhD degrees. Her leadership in this effort will shape the future of our campus and state for generations.
A true Missouri State legend
The Bronze Bear Award honors individuals who demonstrate extraordinary achievement and significant commitment to Missouri State.
Bill has embodied Bear pride for more than six decades. A 1961 alum, he worked at the university for 52 years. He was head baseball coach, athletics business manager, assistant athletics director and athletics director.
In retirement, Bill remains one of our most visible and active supporters. Besides volunteering his time to assist with fundraising projects in athletics, he also serves as a trustee on the Missouri State Foundation Board of Trustees and is a major donor. His generosity has supported both academic excellence and athletic achievement across the university. He’s a permanent presence on our campus and I can’t think of anyone more deserving of this award.
We’ll celebrate both recipients and present their awards at the Dec. 12 commencement.
A spotlight on agriculture
Finally, a recap on an important event … yesterday, I enjoyed being part of Congressman Eric Burlison’s annual 2025 Agriculture Tour, which kicked off and wrapped up at our Darr Agricultural Center. I welcomed Congressman Burlison and other participants at the newly opened Agricultural Innovation Hub before they headed out to visit area farms and agribusinesses.
The tour highlighted the strength of regional agriculture and gave us the chance to show off exciting additions at the center. That includes the 8,500 square-foot hub that supports hands-on learning and research in the latest agriculture technology and the Small Animal Education Center, which opened last year.
Agriculture programs in the Darr College of Agriculture continue to grow and the Darr Agricultural Center plays a key role in showcasing the college’s strength and impact. So far this year, the center has already welcomed more than 12,000 guests and hosted several national events.
A big thanks to Dean Melissa Bledsoe and her team, along with Brian Worthington, a 2007 ag alum and ag field representative for Congressman Burlison, for helping make the day a success. I’m also grateful for the work they do daily to promote agriculture, one of our state’s most important industries.
Thanks for checking in. It’s a great day to be a Bear!
Biff