NITZSCHKE COULD STAY AS SEMO CONSULTANT

Southeast Missouri State University Chancellor Dr. Dale Nitzschke may continue working for the school as a fund-raising consultant once his chancellor's job ends June 30, school officials said.

Nitzschke, who lives in a Cincinnati suburb, stepped down as Southeast's president in summer 1999 but agreed to stay on for two years as the school's first chancellor.

Dr. Ken Dobbins, Nitzschke's successor as Southeast president, said the university will eliminate the chancellor's position. Don Dickerson, president of the Board of Regents, said regents haven't made that decision yet, but such a decision is likely.

"Of course, I would like to see if we could structure something to keep Dale working for us in some capacity," Dickerson said.

Nitzschke has spent much of the last two years lobbying Washington lawmakers and federal officials for funding for Southeast projects such as the Otto and Della Seabaugh Polytechnic Building and the River Campus arts school.

"I think we definitely need some consulting help in our working with the various grant programs available out of Washington," Dickerson said.

Broken the ice'

Southeast has "broken the ice" in landing federal funding for campus improvements, he said. "We think there is a lot of potential there," said Dickerson. The university is looking at the possibility of federal funding for development of a technology research park, he said.

Nitzschke said he would like to continue raising money for the university. "I love the place and I love what is happening there," he said. "There are so many untapped resources that I am learning about and discovering that it makes it more fun than I originally thought it would be."

Southeast wants to spend about $36 million, about half of it in state money, to turn a former Catholic seminary overlooking the Mississippi River in Cape Girardeau into the River Campus arts school.

Foundation head needed

Nitzschke said he would be interested in serving as a consultant, but won't take over as director of the university foundation. The university is searching for a director since Wayne Davenport has resigned effective at the end of this month. Davenport is leaving for a position as vice president for university relations and development at Cleveland State University in Ohio. He also will serve as director of the Cleveland State University Foundation.

Nitzschke, Dobbins and Dickerson said Southeast's foundation needs a director who will operate from the Southeast campus.

Dobbins said it is important to name a new director because the university is in the middle of a $35 million capital campaign. Dickerson said he hopes a new foundation director can be hired within two to three months. Dobbins wants a new director in place by July 1.

Bob Foster, former Southeast president and a former executive director of the foundation, is heading up a search committee.

Dickerson said the university's fund-raising plans are well developed and can proceed even with the absence of a foundation director. Nitzschke and Dobbins plan to temporarily handle some of the duties.

"I really think we will get through it and we will get through it without missing too many beats," Dickerson said.