Many helped River Campus vision

To the editor:While I must confess I was flattered by the notion that it was my vision that the River Campus, once assured, would serve as a major factor in stimulating significant economic, social, cultural and educational growth both for the community of Cape Girardeau and Southeast Missouri State University, it should be known that, in fact, it was the vision of our own board of regents and, in particular, that of Don Dickerson that we are talking about here.

Indeed, I concurred with the board and with Mr. Dickerson and had the added pleasure of being the sitting president at the time and therefore was not only permitted but expected to act as spokesman for the project.

In fact, it is also true that many of the Cape Girardeau leaders at that time also shared in the vision and worked hard for its becoming a reality: the city leadership, chamber of commerce, all local media outlets.

After all is said and done, one must give a lot of credit to the people of Cape Girardeau who also shared this vision and came out in large numbers to voice their support. In the end, it will be a major win-win for everyone.

The governor at the time, as well as almost every member of the Missouri Legislature (with particular efforts -- nonpartisan -- coming from then-senator Peter Kinder) shared in and supported the vision with substantial state funding for the project.

Indeed, it is abundantly clear that current university president Ken Dobbins has been extraordinarily effective in preserving that vision during some extremely difficult years for Missouri.

DALE NITZSCHKE, Southeast Missouri State University President Emeritus, Milford, Ohio