Missouri State makes two key hires

In about a week's time, Missouri State University dropped the interim label from Ken McClure's job title and found a successor to College of Business Administration Dean Ron Bottin.

Burris' successor

McClure took over as the university's vice president for administrative and information services after filling the role in an interim capacity since Sept. 15, when Greg Burris left the position to take the job as Springfield city manager.

McClure was one of two finalists interviewed for the position after a nationwide search.

"We are extremely pleased that Ken has accepted the vice president position," said Missouri State President Michael T. Nietzel in a news release. "In a relatively short period of time, he has proven himself to be a very valuable asset to the campus community."

McClure joined the university in August 2006 as associate vice president for administrative services. He had previously served as chief of staff for Gov. Matt Blunt and lead the governor's transition team. McClure also spent eight years at City Utilities as associate general manager for administration and has worked on the Missouri Public Service Commission, the Missouri Department of Economic Development and the Missouri Senate Appropriations Committee staff.

New business dean

Danny Arnold will begin April 1 as dean of MSU's College of Business Administration, pending approval from the Board of Governors, according to a news release. Arnold comes to Springfield from Frostburg State University in Maryland, where he is dean of the business college. He led the school's accreditation with the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business.

Arnold's career also includes stints as dean and marketing professor at New Mexico State University; associate dean for internal affairs and acting director of graduate studies in business at Mississippi State University; and professor at Austin Peay State University, Stephen F. Austin University and McNeese State University.

Arnold has a doctorate in business administration, a Master of Business Administration and a bachelor's degree in accounting from Louisiana Tech University.

"Dean Bottin has been a great dean for an outstanding college, and I am looking forward to working with the faculty and staff, provost and president to articulate a vision for the next plateau and find ways to achieve that vision," Arnold said in the release.

Enrollment in COBA totals 4,400 students, and the program offers 23 undergraduate majors and specialties and five graduate degrees.

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