Missouri State hosts first presidential finalist

The first finalist for the soon-to-be-vacant Missouri State University president position is on campus today.

Thomas Keon, professor of management and dean of the College of Business Administration for the University of Central Florida, is the first of four presidential finalists, according to an MSU news release.

Keon has been with UCF since 1997, overseeing growth in business college enrollment to more than 9,300 students from fewer than 6,000 when he took over, according to his biography. He also helped lead the university's first major capital campaign, with giving to the business college exceeding $35 million.

Keon has a bachelor's degree in accounting and master's degrees in management and philosophical foundations of education from schools in Massachusetts, as well as a doctorate in management from Michigan State University.

Keon's two days on campus include an open forum this morning in the Plaster Student Union Theater, as well as meetings with student and staff senate leaders and the Board of Governors. He will also tour the main campus and the facilities in Mountain Grove and West Plains.  

There were 32 active candidates for the MSU position, according to the news release, with the four finalists selected by the search firm R. William Funk & Associates. The remaining three candidates will be on campus between now and May 12 and will be announced 24–36 hours before arrival.

"The search committee was impressed with the pool and excited to identify these four individuals to come to campus," said Mike Duggan, Board of Governors member and head of the search committee, in the release. "I think the faculty, staff, students, donors, alumni and community all will be impressed."

More information on the process is available at the Missouri State Web site.