Editorial: The Craders and Dobbinses are 'Friends of the University'

Stan and Debbie Crader of Jackson and Ken and Jeanine Dobbins will receive the Friends of the University Award today.

Stan Crader is president of Crader Distributing Co., and Debbie Crader is a registered nurse. Ken Dobbins is president of Southeast Missouri State University; Jeanine, the university's first lady, worked in the area of literacy, and much more.

Stan Crader is currently co-chairman of the university foundation's capital campaign, which has raised more than $46 million to support scholarships, programs and renovations. The Crader Family Endowment for American Values was established to increase knowledge and appreciation of the political, religious and economic heritage of the U.S. and the West.

President Dobbins has announced his retirement at the completion of this academic year. He has been president since 1999, and, before that, was executive vice president and vice president of finance and administration. The Dobbinses have been very generous with their time and resources well beyond the scope of his role as president. The university has reached new heights under his leadership; and Jeanine Dobbins' work has helped educate more than 700 teachers and assisted more than 275,000 elementary students with reading difficulties.

For their service, the new academic and residence hall at the River Campus has been named for Ken and Jeanine Dobbins. The building will be dedicated in their honor today.

The Friends of the University awards will be presented at 6:30 p.m. today at the Bedell Performance hall at the River Campus.

Congratulations to the Craders and Dobbinses. Thank you for your generosity and commitment to the university and the region.