Payne named Three Rivers president

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- Trustees offered a permanent contract last week to the interim president of Three Rivers College, more than a month earlier than planned.

Dr. Wes Payne, former vice president for learning, accepted a three-year contract. He will receive an annual salary of $175,000, the same amount trustees approved in July in his contract as interim president.

"It was the consensus of the board; we didn't need to do a national search," said board chairman Randy Grassham.

Trustees are pleased with Payne's performance, and he has been accepted by faculty, Grassham said.

"We just felt like there was no need to wait," he said.

Payne will be eligible to receive annual increases similar to the maximum annual raises received by college personnel, subject to evaluations and the financial state of the college, according to the contract.

Former president Dr. Devin Stephenson, who earned $198,500 a year, left abruptly in late July. He had received a 12.5 percent raise effective July 1, while faculty raises averaged 3.5 percent. Stephenson continues to work as a consultant for the college until Nov. 1 and is receiving his normal salary.

Trustees had said they would meet with Payne by Nov. 1 to evaluate his performance as interim president.

Payne also will receive a $12,000 annual housing allowance, up from $6,000 currently.

The college will pay for Payne's health insurance as part of the group plan offered to all other employees and provide a late model, full-size vehicle. Payne will be issued 20 vacation days and 17 sick leave days a year.

His contact is effective through Sept. 30, 2017.

Three Rivers is moving forward to create a better college for students, employees and the community, Payne said.

"When it comes down to it, teachers are teaching, students are learning and people are changing their lives for the better," he said.

The people who do that are those working every day to ensure students get the services they need, Payne said.

The transition has not been difficult, according to Payne, because he was highly involved in most of what was occurring at the college before becoming president.

"[We are] making some slow and general alterations to what the priorities are," he said.

Pertinent address:

Poplar Bluff, Mo.