MSU sets board leadership milestone

It took 112 years, but the Missouri State University Board of Governors has reached a historic milestone. For the first time since the university’s founding in 1905, the governing body is led by two women.

During its March 24 meeting, attorney Virginia Fry was elected board chairwoman and politician and small-business owner Carrie Tergin was named vice chairwoman, according to a news release issued yesterday.

Springfieldian Fry is a partner in Husch Blackwell LLP and a member of the firm’s health care, life sciences and pharmaceuticals industry team. Tergin is mayor of Jefferson City and owner of Carrie’s Hallmark Shop, in addition to being an artist and photographer. Both are graduates of MSU.

The new slate of leadership comes following a change in overall board makeup. In February, Gov. Eric Greitens appointed two members to fill the seats of Peter Hofherr and exiting Chairman Joe Carmichael. Craig Fraizer, an executive vice president of business development for Ozark tech firm MotoMiner, and Carol Silvey, a senior associate for advancement at Community Foundation of the Ozarks’ West Plains, were confirmed April 6.

Rounding out the slate of officers elected at the March meeting, MSU Chief Financial Officer Steve Foucart was elected treasurer and MSU board Secretary Kristan Gochenauer retained her role. Other board members are Gabriel Gore, Stephen Hoven, Beverly Miller, Gregory Spears, Kendall Seal and Tyree Davis.  

The next board of governors meeting is 1 p.m. May 18 at Robert W. Plaster Student Union on MSU’s Springfield campus.