2008 Woodie Awards
Looking back at León
Highlights of a career from pages of 'The Chart'
Issue date: 8/20/07 Section: News
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"For example, which Missouri institution might dare to develop a strong international emphasis that would permeate the entire curriculum?"
At a June 15, 1990 meeting of the Board of Regents, León answered the governor's call.
"The 21st century is already here," he said at he time. "We have to prepare our students to deal with a global environment. Hopefully, it will permeate in everything that we teach in the classroom. We think we are on the right track."
In 1990, faculty weighed in on the issue, as well.
"I think it's an extremely bold move for an exceptionally provincial area like southwest Missouri," said Dr. Conrad Gubera, professor of sociology. "We get a lot of students who haven't been anywhere whose ideas are local.
"It's bold when you consider who we are and where we are."
Dean of the School of Business Brad Kleindl said at the time that embracing the mission was a good move.
"Our students who will be working for these companies will have to be able to understand what it means to operate in a global marketplace," he said.
Another aspect of the mission was foreign languages. Dr. Allen Merriam, professor of communication, was prophetic in his comments at the time.
"The timing seems ripe for actually doing it," he said. "It's pretty exciting to think that in a couple of years we'll be offering as many as eight different languages."
The University is offering X languages this semester.
University Status
On July 12, 2003 Gov. Bob Holden signed Senate Bill XXX changing the name of Missouri Southern State College to Missouri Southern State University. At the time, Holden acknowledged the change as a move forward for the institution.
"University status better enhances Southern's ability to compete on a national and global level," he said. "This is an opportunity for Missouri."
Area lawmakers had tried previously to facilitate the name change, but were unsuccessful.
"We started seriously looking at university status in 1995," León said. "However, the conditions present weren't as they were this time. All the stars aligned just right this time for this to happen."
University Expansion
Under León, the campus expanded or planned for expansion by 651,901 square feet totaling more than $85.5 million. Among the capital improvement projects completed under his leadership were both Robert Ellis Young Gymnasium and the Leggett & Platt Athletic Center, Webster Hall, Reynolds Hall and the Dianne Mayes Student Life Center. The proposed health sciences building and student recreation center are still in the planning stages.
At a June 15, 1990 meeting of the Board of Regents, León answered the governor's call.
"The 21st century is already here," he said at he time. "We have to prepare our students to deal with a global environment. Hopefully, it will permeate in everything that we teach in the classroom. We think we are on the right track."
In 1990, faculty weighed in on the issue, as well.
"I think it's an extremely bold move for an exceptionally provincial area like southwest Missouri," said Dr. Conrad Gubera, professor of sociology. "We get a lot of students who haven't been anywhere whose ideas are local.
"It's bold when you consider who we are and where we are."
Dean of the School of Business Brad Kleindl said at the time that embracing the mission was a good move.
"Our students who will be working for these companies will have to be able to understand what it means to operate in a global marketplace," he said.
Another aspect of the mission was foreign languages. Dr. Allen Merriam, professor of communication, was prophetic in his comments at the time.
"The timing seems ripe for actually doing it," he said. "It's pretty exciting to think that in a couple of years we'll be offering as many as eight different languages."
The University is offering X languages this semester.
University Status
On July 12, 2003 Gov. Bob Holden signed Senate Bill XXX changing the name of Missouri Southern State College to Missouri Southern State University. At the time, Holden acknowledged the change as a move forward for the institution.
"University status better enhances Southern's ability to compete on a national and global level," he said. "This is an opportunity for Missouri."
Area lawmakers had tried previously to facilitate the name change, but were unsuccessful.
"We started seriously looking at university status in 1995," León said. "However, the conditions present weren't as they were this time. All the stars aligned just right this time for this to happen."
University Expansion
Under León, the campus expanded or planned for expansion by 651,901 square feet totaling more than $85.5 million. Among the capital improvement projects completed under his leadership were both Robert Ellis Young Gymnasium and the Leggett & Platt Athletic Center, Webster Hall, Reynolds Hall and the Dianne Mayes Student Life Center. The proposed health sciences building and student recreation center are still in the planning stages.
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