University welcomes new president at inauguration

Southeast Missouri State University will hold the inauguration of its 18th president, Dr. Carlos Vargas, tonight at the Show Me Center.

Vargas officially began his duties July 1. Since then, he has gained a reputation for being approachable, student-centered and collaborative.

One way that Vargas has reached out to students is through sports. He is known to play soccer with various student groups, which he says gives him the opportunity to hear from them in "a non-threatening situation."

Vargas and his wife also make sure to attend Southeast sporting events, Greek events and lunches and ceremonies for student organizations, according to the Southeast newspaper the Arrow.

It's important that a university's faculty, staff and students know their leadership has their best interests in mind. Often it takes a long time to build that kind of trust, as a president has to demonstrate his or her commitment to the instution.

Vargas appears to have made great strides toward that goal.

The inauguration begins at 2 p.m. However, Vargas doesn't want the day to be about him.

"I hope that this is an opportunity where we are able to come together as an institution," Vargas told the Arrow. "I hope that this is a time when we can really think and reflect on what this institution has achieved in its history and to feel good about it. I don't want us to focus on the accomplishments of an individual, but rather of the university as a whole."

To that end, several events are planned throughout the day: The dome at Academic Hall will be open for tours from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.; shuttle tours about campus history will be available at 10 a.m., 11 a.m. and noon; the colleges of Education and Business and the School of Visual and Performing Arts will host open houses; and students who participated in the Center for Strategic and International Studies program will give a presentation at 11 a.m. at the Show Me Center. The public is invited to take part in the day's festivities.