Missouri Southern State selects next president

“He comes with the unanimous support of the search committee, he comes with the unanimous support of the Board of Governors … he comes with the support of the faculty,” said Dwight Douglas, president of the university’s board.

Speck, provost and vice president for academic and student affairs at Austin Peay State University in Clarksville, Tenn., will begin his new duties on or before March 1.

“I have a steep learning curve,” Speck said at the announcement. “I have to learn where the buildings are and what your names are.”

Austin Peay is one of six universities in the Board of Regents System. Speck served as the school’s vice president for academic affairs before becoming provost and vice president for academic and student affairs. He previously worked as a faculty member and administrator at University of North Carolina at Pembroke and as a faculty member at the University of Memphis and Indiana University–Purdue University at Fort Wayne.

Speck received his doctoral degree in English from the University of Nebraska in 1984, his master’s degree from Wayne State College in 1980 and his bachelor’s degree from the University of Northern Colorado in 1975.

Douglas previously described Speck as an “up-and-comer” who has risen through the academic ranks. He has been a candidate for president at several universities.

Also on Friday, Speck announced that John Messick will serve as vice president of academic affairs. Richard McCallum is vacating the position to be president of Dickinson State University in North Dakota.

Terri Agee, who served as interim president, will return to her position as senior vice president for business.

Jeff Wells is editor of Joplin Tri-State Business, Springfield Business Journal's sister publication. He can be reached at jwells@joplintsb.com.