Regents Recognize Dobbins for Decade of Service as President of Southeast

As the University nears the end of the first decade of the new millennium, the Southeast Missouri State University Board of Regents adopted a resolution June 19 honoring Kenneth W. Dobbins, president of Southeast Missouri State University, for a decade of service as president of the institution. Before being named president in 1999, Dobbins served eight years as executive vice president.

July 1 marks the 10th anniversary of the beginning of Dobbins' presidency at Southeast.

According to Brad Bedell, president of the Southeast Missouri State University Board of Regents, Dobbins' tenure as the Southeast president is noteworthy not only for the accomplishments that have been achieved over the past decade, but also because the national average term length for college and university presidents is approximately six years.

Bedell said university presidents today are charged with a daunting mandate. "You have to imagine the unimaginable and finance the impossible," he said. "And Ken Dobbins has done both."

"The Board felt that a Resolution of Honor commemorating President Dobbins' decade of service as president of Southeast was a fitting tribute," he said. "In ten years, the University has faced some tremendous budget challenges, while at the same time experiencing tremendous growth and success. Dr. Dobbins has provided great leadership, and the Board wanted to publicly acknowledge his dedication and service."

Dobbins and his wife, Jeanine Larson Dobbins, have been active at the University and in the community during his 18-year tenure. Their son Paul, and daughter-in-law Stacey, are both Southeast graduates and live and work in St. Louis.

A copy of the official resolution which was approved unanimously by the Board of Regents in their June 19, 2009, meeting, is available at http://www.semo.edu/news/images/News_DobbinsPresidency_2009.pdf.