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Missouri State-West Plains says goodbye to Chancellor Bennett and welcomes Dr. Lawler.
Chancellor Drew Bennett Retires; Dr. Shirley Lawler becomes new chancellor
Missouri State University-West Plains underwent a change in leadership during the 2017-18 academic year. Dr. Drew Bennett announced his retirement in August, and Dr. Shirley Lawler took the reins as the campus' new chancellor on June 1, 2018.
Bennett was the campus' seventh chancellor and its second longest serving at the time of his departure May 31. During his 11-year tenure, the campus increased enrollment by 10 percent and increased full-time faculty by 26 percent, including three endowed professorships. The campus also added 10 new associate degrees while generating more than $8.8 million in donations and more than $11 million in grant funding.
Bennett's impact on the physical campus during the last 11 years included 12 building renovation projects and three new facilities – the FEMA/Student Recreation Center, Gohn Hall and Hass-Darr Hall (currently under construction with a targeted fall 2018 completion). More than 2,700 students graduated from the campus while Bennett was chancellor.
Lawler became the first woman to lead the West Plains campus when her appointment to the chancellor's post was announced May 1 following an extensive nationwide search.
The former Hartville resident served as provost/vice chancellor for academic and student affairs at Ozarks Technical Community College (OTC) until her retirement in 2012.
She began at OTC in 1997 and served in a number of positions, including associate vice president for academic affairs, dean of technical education and dean of academic services. Prior to working at OTC, Lawler worked at Logan-Rogersville High School for 12 years. She also was an adjunct instructor at Missouri State University in Springfield from 1984-2002.
Lawler has a doctorate in education from the University of Missouri. She also has a bachelor's in business education and Master of Education in secondary education, both from Missouri State.
Grant awarded to fund amphitheater
In October, Missouri State-West Plains was awarded a $202,137 grant from the U.S. Department of Interior's Land & Water Conservation Fund for construction of an outdoor amphitheater.
This project has been a goal for the West Plains campus for many years. The grant, along with private donations already received or pledged, will allow the amphitheater to become a reality. Plans call for an 850-seat venue, which will be constructed just west of the Smith-London Centennial Bell Tower. It will provide the university and the greater West Plains community an outdoor venue for spectator events, concerts, rallies, films and theatrical performances. A significant aspect of this project is that it will be built without the use of operational funds or reserves. The project should be completed in late summer or early fall 2019.
GOCAT opens on schedule
Despite damages caused by extensive flooding on April 29, 2017, training programs started on schedule at the Greater Ozarks Center for Advanced Technology (GOCAT) for the 2017 fall semester.
After months of renovations to the former city scales building on Howell Avenue, a large contingent of community leaders and government representatives officially opened the center April 21, 2017, with a ribbon cutting ceremony. The 16,000-square-foot facility, which is designed to provide training for key technological skills in demand by manufacturers, was damaged by the flood eight days later. Although the floodwaters slowed momentum, GOCAT's three partners, Missouri State-West Plains, South Central Career Center (SCCC) and the City of West Plains, were committed to having the workforce development programs at the GOCAT up and running by the fall semester. GOCAT is a $2.5 million investment for the community. Associate degrees and certificates focusing on immediate entry into the workforce are offered at the center by the university.
