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Northwest Missouri State University's Board of Regents ratified an agreement with a scholarship program dedicated to assisting low- and modest-income Kansas City-area students in addition to showing its gratitude for Interim President Dr. Clarence Green on Thursday during its last session before the conclusion of the academic year.
The meeting was the last for Green in the interim president role as Dr. Lance Tatum will assume the presidency June 1. The session culminated with Green, whom Regents appointed last year to serve as interim president for the 2022-23 academic year, and University leaders exchanging words of thanks and reflecting on their support of one another.
“Thank you to the students, faculty, staff, alumni, community members and other stakeholders for supporting Northwest but also for supporting me,” Green said, reading from prepared remarks. “You have all been exceptional. You have given me grace and allowed the institution to stay its course. To have the opportunity to serve your alma mater that has given you so much is really extremely humbling.”
In addition to University leaders and colleagues with whom he worked closely, Green thanked the Board of Regents for entrusting him with the presidential responsibilities, saying, “Not only did they consider diversity, but they also made sure inclusion occurred. They listened to my voice and made space for me to coexist.”
Green also called for the University community to support Tatum.
“I have had the privilege to speak with him on many occasions,” Green said. “He is very sharp and he is filled with energy and excitement for this institution. I look forward to him arriving, and I look forward to helping him with his desire to take us to the next level.”
Representing the Northwest Leadership Team, Vice President of Finance and Administration Stacy Carrick addressed Green in front of the Board and said, “It is tough to describe the impact that you’ve had on the Northwest Leadership Team and our entire campus. But your positive attitude, your ability to motivate, inspire and encourage others, while also helping navigate the challenges as we move forward has been what we’ve all needed this last year. We sincerely appreciate your leadership and the time and efforts that you’ve invested in us as individuals, as the team and our campus.”
John Moore, the chair of the Board of Regents (right) presented Dr. Clarence Green with an updated Presidential Chain-of-Office that now includes his name in recognition of his term as the University's interim president. (Photos by Todd Weddle/Northwest Missouri State University)
Taking his turn on behalf of Regents, Board Chair John Moore presented Green with a monetary gift, which Moore said is intended for Green to take his wife, Chelli, on a vacation. Moore then unveiled an updated Presidential Chain-of-Office that now includes the names of Green as well as Tatum.
Originally created by former art faculty members Lee Hageman, Robert Sunkel and Philip Van Voorst in 1977, the Presidential Chain-of-Office features a medallion with the University seal set in an octagonal frame and mounted on a piece of walnut, replicating the design of the Administration Building turrets. The names of all previous Northwest presidents and the years they held office are engraved on rectangular links forming the chain. The piece, which the University president wears at all commencement ceremonies, is passed from each president to the next, thus recording the succession of people who have served as the institution’s highest administrative officer.
The metal chain links had begun to show wear and were in need of repair, however. In conjunction with Northwest’s presidential transition, the chain links were replicated with black metal, and the names of presidents and their years of service are now engraved in silver lettering. A Northwest logo accompanies the names of Dr. B.D. Owens, who served as president from 1977 to 1984, and Green, recognizing their status as Northwest alumni.
Although Tatum is set to become, officially, Northwest’s 11th president, Moore said he and Regents wanted to ensure Green’s year as interim president also is staked in the University’s history.
“We care deeply about you and we are so appreciative of what you’ve accomplished that we wanted to make sure that every president from this point forward at every commencement wears a necklace that has your name as part of the chain of the presidency,” Moore said to Green. “You’re respected. You’re appreciated. You’re valued, and I would say – above and beyond all those – you’re loved by everybody at this University.”
The Board ratified a memorandum of agreement and addendum with Kansas City Scholars Inc. to enter into a partnership with the organization that offers scholarship opportunities for traditional college students and adult learners as well as college savings matches.
Launched in 2016, Kansas City Scholars is a scholarship and support program for students and adults who reside in six counties in Kansas and Missouri and are classified as low or modest income. Scholarship recipients attend only the higher education institutions with which Kansas City Scholars has entered into an agreement that focuses on persistence, college completion and job placement.
Kansas City Scholars will select students to receive Northwest scholarships through the organization’s award process, based on the student’s desire to attend the University and a minimum unweighted cumulative high school GPA of 3.25.
Through the terms of the agreement, Kansas City Scholars and Northwest expect to award scholarships of $10,000 to up to 50 qualified students annually, beginning in fall 2024 through at least 2030.
“It is a win-win opportunity for Northwest Missouri State University, and it’s a win-win for these students because they’re going to get quality education,” Northwest Provost Dr. Jamie Hooyman said.
The Board of Regents convened Thursday for its final session before the end of the academic year.
The Board approved an additional $200,000 for architectural, structural and aesthetic repairs at the Thomas Gaunt House.
Last August, Regents authorized Green and Carrick to execute a contract for structural and exterior repairs at the Gaunt House, estimated to cost about $325,000. Deterioration due to water infiltration comprises the majority of those repairs, which address the structure’s porches, soffits and roof, Carrick explained.
After further review of the home, the University identified interior repairs and updates to address flooring, cabinets, plumbing, electrical, bathroom fixtures and vanities, and patching and painting walls, requiring the additional funding.
The home, located at the south edge of campus, was built during the 1870s and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1979. It has served as the residence for all previous Northwest presidents, with the exception of Green and his family.
Regents approved updates to the University’s alcohol policy, which provides Sodexo, Northwest’s new campus dining partner, the opportunity to sell alcohol in specific campus dining venues. The Board also approved revisions to the University’s investment policy as well as a degree conferral policy developed to formalize rules that must be followed to confer degrees at Northwest.
The Board approved the ratification of a seven-year contract with Academic Partnerships for online enablement services.
Additionally, Regents approved the appointments of 238 full-time and adjunct faculty to teach Northwest coursework during the summer session as well as the appointment of University Police Officer Danica Drake.
The Board of Regents is responsible for sound resource management of the University and for determining general, educational and financial policies.
