by CalebThomas
Senior Vice Chancellor Dr. Lance Tatum has been named the eleventh president of Northwest Missouri State University, and spoke with the Tropolitan as he reflects on the nearly 25 years of working at Troy University.
From being hired as an assistant professor to serving as a department chair, dean, and vice chancellor, Tatum has nearly done it all at Troy. He credits those around him for his accomplishments.
“Throughout my career at Troy, colleagues like Don Jeffrey, Ed Roach, Earl Ingram, and Dr. Jack Hawkins have been the driving forces behind my professional development,” Tatum said. “Without them, I would not have been ready to serve as the President of Northwest Missouri State University.”
During his time at Troy, Tatum accomplished many things, including developing and implementing the Sport Management master’s degree and the first sign language interpreter training program in the state of Alabama. He also led a restructuring of domestic operations that saved the school millions of dollars, among other accomplishments.
“Over my career and at each administrative stop, I have been able to widen my influence and deepen my impact on the lives of those around me - and with an outstanding team at Troy we have been able to conduct great work,” Tatum said.
Northwest Missouri State University, where Tatum will be the next president, is located in Maryville, Missouri, about an hour north of Kansas City. The university currently has a student body of 8,505. Tatum said that it is similar to Troy University in its efforts of serving students and helping them reach their goals in life.
“The team at Northwest has built a solid foundation for institutional growth,” Tatum said. “My immediate goals are to learn the culture at Northwest, build relationships with the university community, alumni, and those who support Northwest; continue to build capacity with enrollment, and address immediate needs associated with facilities and the Northwest workforce.”
Tatum has seen Troy University develop in a lot of ways, and said he now looks to do so at another school.
“I am completing my 25th year at Troy, and along the way I have been a part of many university accomplishments, the consolidation of the Troy State system to one Troy University, the move to Division I athletics and the transformation of the Troy campus into the beautiful place it is today,” Tatum said. “I am who I am today, because of the great people I have met and worked with at Troy.”
Comments