Three Rivers president gets 4-year contract extension

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- The Three Rivers College Board of Trustees plans to extend president Dr. Devin Stephenson's contract for four more years, according to information released Thursday morning by the college. The release also said Stephenson has withdrawn his name from a list of candidates for the presidency of Daytona State College in Daytona Beach, Fla.

Trustees held a special executive session at noon Monday at the Poplar Bluff home of trustee Randy Winston.

The board agreed to terms that will extend Stephenson's contract through 2015, according to the news release. An official vote will be taken during regular session at a Wednesday board meeting.

The trustees think it is important to continue the student-first philosophy Stephenson has brought to Three Rivers, board chairman Wilbur Thornton said.

"Under Dr. Stephenson's leadership, we have kept tuition as low as possible, while expanding opportunities for our students and maintaining our high-quality education standards," he said. "We have put the keys to the front door of success into the hands of students who would not normally have them."

Enrollment at the college has grown by 22 percent since the summer of 2009, according to the news release, with programs expanding at locations in Sikeston, Kennett and Malden, as well as new centers in Cape Girardeau and Dexter. Three Rivers' reserve fund has also increased from $2.3 million to $4 million.

Three Rivers has never been perceived in a more positive light, and the credit for this goes to Stephenson and his administration, said Trustee Marion Tibbs, who was chairman of the board this past year.

"Dr. Stephenson is focused on building the community's confidence in the college and this has led to the many successes we are achieving," Tibbs said.

Pertinent address:

2080 Three Rivers Blvd., Poplar Bluff, MO