Our Board of Governors met last week. They took up several important matters.

Board recognizes Citizen Scholars and service to university

The board recognized this year’s Citizen Scholar Award recipients:

You can find more information about our 2016-2017 Citizen Scholars. Please join me in congratulating these students on a job well done.

The board also recognized the board service of Governors Peter Hofherr and Steve Hoven, whose terms expire at the end of the year. Governors Hofherr and Hoven have made a lasting impact on Missouri State, and Missouri State University is better because of their service on the board.

Looking to the future of the West Plains campus

The board also approved the long-range plan for the West Plains campus. Similar to the Springfield campus, we have also developed a set of measurable goals for the West Plains campus to ensure accountability. The particular goals are set forth below.

Degrees and certificates awarded annually (July 1 – June 30)

FY12	FY13	FY14	FY15	FY16	Goal FY22
333	302	309	297	300	350

Three-year graduation/transfer rate for first-time full-time students (statewide average in parentheses)

2009 cohort in 2012	2010 cohort in 2013	2011 cohort in 2014	2012 cohort in 2015	2013 cohort in 2016	Goal fall 2022
40.7% (39%)	38.5% (34.6%)	35.5% (35.6%)	44.2% (NA)	47.7% (NA)	50%

First year to second year retention rate (fall to fall) for first-time full-time students (statewide average in parentheses)

F11 to F12	F12 to F13	F13 to F14	F14 to F15	F15 to F16	Goal fall 2022
43% (49.7%)	45% (49.4%)	43% (58.8%)	42% (56.2%)	49% (NA)	55%

Three-year graduation/transfer rate first-time full-time students by subgrouping (n= total beginning number of students in cohort)

	2009 cohort in 2012	2010 cohort in 2013	2011 cohort in 2014	2012 cohort in 2015	2013 cohort in 2016	Goal fall 2022
Hispanic/Latino	14% (7)	50% (8)	0% (2)	33% (6)	36% (11)	= or > annual rate for total pop
Black African-American	70% (10)	63% (8)	64% (14)	68% (22)	65% (23)	= or > annual rate for total pop

First year to second year retention rate (fall to fall) for first-time full-time students by subgrouping (n= total beginning number of students in cohort)

	F11 to F12	F12 to F13	F13 to F14	F14 to F15	F15 to F16	Goal fall 2022
Hispanic/Latino	50% (2)	33% (6)	73% (11)	25% (12)	56% (16)	= or > annual rate for total pop
Black African American	14% (14)	50% (22)	35% (23)	46% (24)	48% (29)	= or > annual rate for total pop

Annual percent of full-time faculty and staff who are international or members of historically underrepresented groups, defined to include minority, veteran and disability

Fall 2012	Fall 2013	Fall 2014	Fall 2015	Fall 2016	Goal fall 2022
7.38%	9.45%	8.03%	11.19% (15/135)	10.08% (13/129)	13.0%

We are excited for what the next five years will hold for our faculty, staff and students in West Plains.

Changes in agriculture

The board approved a resolution changing the Darr School of Agriculture to the Darr College of Agriculture. This is an important change that highlights the growth of Missouri State’s agriculture programs and the important role they play at the university, in the state of Missouri and throughout the world. I want to thank Anson Elliott and his team for developing Missouri State’s agriculture programs to what they are today. We know that the Darr College of Agriculture will continue its upward trajectory under Ron Del Vecchio’s leadership, and we are excited for what the future holds for our agriculture programs.

Meeting performance measures on both campuses

The board also received reports from Frank Einhellig and Drew Bennett on the university’s performance as part of the state of Missouri’s performance funding framework. We are happy to report that the Springfield campus and the West Plains campus met all five of their performance measures. You can find additional details about the performance measures online.

The Springfield campus has met all five of the performance funding targets every year since the performance funding framework was established. The university’s success is thanks to the hard work of all of our faculty, staff and students.

Staff Service Awards

Please mark your calendars and plan to attend the annual Staff Service Awards and Appreciation luncheon on Jan. 11. at Hammons Student Center. It’s a special time to recognize those who have reached a five-year longevity milestone in their years of service to the university, those who have retired, those who have been selected for the Staff Excellence in University Service Award, those who have been selected for the Staff Excellence in Community Service Award and the winner of the My Ideas program.

Thanks for all you do for Missouri State!