Southeast celebrates inauguration of president Vargas

Carlos Vargas-Aburto was celebrated Thursday as the 18th president of Southeast Missouri State University at an inauguration ceremony at the Show Me Center.

But Vargas didn’t focus on the academic pomp. He focused on the students.

“We need to help them be successful,” Vargas said, adding universities too often put obstacles in the way of student success.

Vargas, who has served as president since July of last year, said Southeast needs to look at things from the perspective of students.

He acknowledged he likes to interact with students.

“I meet with at least one group of students every week,” he said. “We have a conversation. I want to learn from students what they are thinking.”

Vargas said he and his wife, Pam, director of research and grant development at Southeast, often attend campus events together.

“It is overwhelming for me to be here,” Vargas told the crowd.

Vargas said he grew up in poverty but managed to succeed in life through education. He graduated with a physics degree from a university in Mexico before pursuing a career in higher education.

He came to Southeast from Kutztown University of Pennsylvania, where he was acting president.

Vargas said he is committed to helping students because “I see the potential in every one of them.”

Peter Jacobsen, president of Student Government, said Vargas has been known to play a pick-up game of soccer with students and interact with students all across campus.

Before the ceremony, special, white T-shirts with Vargas’ portrait on it and red hats celebrating Vargas were distributed free to students in front of Kent Library.

Vargas visited with students and stopped to pose for photos with many of them.

“It is awesome,” said student Jordan Probst of Effingham, Illinois.

Brittney Sides, a student from Jackson, had her photo taken with Vargas.

“He is really personable,” she said. “The T-shirts are fun.”

The day’s festivities for the public included tours of the Academic Hall dome and shuttle-bus tours of the campus.

Thursday afternoon’s inauguration ceremony drew a crowd of more than 1,300 students, staff, alumni, former university officials and community members.

The crowd gave Vargas a standing ovation.

Former Southeast presidents Kenneth Dobbins, Robert Foster and Bill Stacy were among the dignitaries seated on stage.

Board of Regents president Jay Knudtson presented the presidential medallion to Vargas.

The sterling-silver medallion, featuring an engraving of Academic Hall, first was presented to a Southeast president in 1966.

Knudtson said Vargas has a “unique sense of humility” and a constant student-centered focus.

He lightheartedly praised Vargas for having a beard that looks “pretty cool.”

Tomás Morales, president of California State University at San Bernardino, presented the keynote address.

A mentor of Vargas who encouraged him to apply for the Southeast position, Morales said there is a great need for higher education in the United States.

By 2020, 65 percent of all jobs will require post-secondary education, he said.

But higher education faces challenges. Student-loan debt stands at $1.2 trillion nationally.

Morales said the “gap between proficient and struggling students is growing.”

Too many students arrive on campus unprepared for college classes, he said.

Morales said public universities need to work with school districts to develop curriculum that will prepare students for college.

He described Vargas as an outstanding administrator and scholar who wants to expand student access to and success in higher education.

Morales said Vargas will carry on “the great legacy of this proud institution.”

mbliss@semissourian.com

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