Dear Friends,
My name is Elizabeth Kennedy, and I am humbled to have been asked to serve as Missouri Western’s interim president. I want to start by thanking you for your dedication to, and faith in, Missouri Western State University. Without the support of our alumni and friends, we would not be able to support our students now and in the future. Please know, I appreciate each and every one of you.
As I begin my role as interim president, I am meeting with different groups and individuals from the campus and community to receive their feedback and share my vision for the future of the university. During all of these meetings, two things continue to stand out – an overwhelming love of Missouri Western and the idea that we are all a part of the Griffon family.
For me, coming to Missouri Western has been a real homecoming. I am originally from Missouri and still have family in the area. The welcome that our Griffon family has shown me has made me truly feel that this is where I belong, and I am incredibly grateful for this reception. I know this welcoming feeling does not stop with me, as our students report feeling the same way. Home is where the heart is, and this is so true at our beloved University.
A few weeks ago, we asked our returning students to tell us in one word what Missouri Western means to them. From home, welcoming and love, to opportunity, future and encouragement, one thing rings true – Missouri Western is a place where students feel comfortable to be themselves while growing into young adults who are aspiring to fulfill their hopes and dreams. I encourage you to watch the video on Missouri Western’s Youtube channel. The responses are a great reminder of why we’re here and the students we are supporting.
I’d also like to take a moment to remind and reassure you that we are doing all we can to keep our campus and community safe during this unprecedented semester. Our semester began on Monday, August 17 and will conclude with finals week on the Tuesday before Thanksgiving. We are committed to the health and wellbeing of our campus community and have recently set up a dashboard on our COVID-19 Response webpage. Here you can quickly view updated COVID-19 statistics for the university as well as learn about our updated on-campus procedures and guidelines.
With the help and cooperation of our entire campus community, we will be able to reduce issues and minimize potential disruptions on campus. As of this publication, physical distancing and face coverings are required on campus, and signage is posted around campus to remind everyone of our protocols and practices. We want every Griffon to be safe and stay healthy!
Once again, thank you for welcoming me to the community and for your continued support of our university. Now more than ever, our students need to know that we are here for them in every way possible. Whether we are physically on campus or working remotely, the health, wellbeing and education of our students is our top priority. I look forward to working with you in the future to provide our students with the best possible education and experience during their time at Missouri Western.
Dr. Elizabeth Kennedy
Interim President
Missouri Western State University