Aug. 26, 2026–The Missouri Western State University Board of Governors has announced that Dr. Lenny Klaver will serve as the University’s seventh president. Dr. Klaver will be introduced to the campus and the community during a formal announcement and press conference at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 26 at the Houlne Center for Convergent Technology, 4141 [...]
August 12, 2026–Missouri Western State University has announced the names of the finalists to be the University’s seventh president. The finalists will be on campus next week for in-person interviews. The interview schedule will include an open forum which will give students, faculty, staff and the public an opportunity to hear presentations and ask questions [...]
June 3, 2026–The search for the seventh president of Missouri Western State University is officially underway. The Board of Governors is accepting applications and has appointed a search committee. “We are looking for a mission-driven servant leader with a deep commitment to public higher education,” said Bill Grimwood, chair of the Board of Governors and [...]
May 6, 2026–The Board of Governors at Missouri Western State University has named Patt Lilly as interim president of the University, effective May 11, 2026. “Having served 12 years of the Board of Governors, including a term as Chair, Lilly is a dedicated, long-standing supporter of the University,” said Bill Grimwood, chair of the Board [...]
Dr. M.O. Looney Sept. 30, 2025--Dr. Marvin O. Looney, who served as the first president of Missouri Western State University, died Sept. 29 in Mountain Home, Arkansas. He was 97 years old. “There are few figures, if any, more vital than Dr. Looney to the development of Missouri Western State University,” said Dr. [...]
Kristie Arthur, St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce; Julie Cobb, St. Joseph School District Foundation; Dr. Elizabeth Kennedy, Missouri Western State University. Photo courtesy SJSD Foundation Sept. 19, 2025--Dr. Elizabeth Kennedy, president of Missouri Western State University, was presented the inaugural Beacon Award for Outstanding Community Partner from the St. Joseph School District Foundation [...]
Dr. Elizabeth Kennedy, MoWest's president, and Dr. Ashly McGinnis. St. Joseph School District, sign an agreement to launch a direct admit program for St. Joseph School District graduates attending MoWest. Aug. 22, 2025--Missouri Western State University and the St. Joseph School District have partnered to offer direct admission to MoWest for district graduates, [...]
Dr. Lenny Klaver, Dr. Ben Boggs, Dr. Elizabeth Kennedy, Tim Houlne, State Rep. Brenda Shields and State Rep. Dean Van Schoiack cut the ribbon at the Houlne Center for Convergent Technology. Nov. 15, 2024--Missouri Western State University, North Central Missouri College and numerous public and private partners formally cut the ribbon on the [...]
Dr. Elizabeth Kennedy, president of Missouri Western State University, will serve as chair of the Council on Public Higher Education in Missouri (COPHE) for two years. “I appreciate my peers for giving me the opportunity to serve in this key leadership role,” acknowledged Kennedy. “We have much to accomplish as we all work together to [...]
Lonnie Bishop May 23, 2023–A veteran of the Buchanan County Sheriff’s Department will lead Missouri Western State University’s Law Enforcement Academy. Lonnie Bishop will begin his duties as commander of the LEA on June 16. “The Law Enforcement Academy is an important way that we serve the region, training the people who keep [...]
