[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 87 (Wednesday, May 24, 1995)]
[Senate]
[Page S7386]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



[[Page S7386]]

                     THE SERVICE OF DR. DUANE MEYER

  Mr. ASHCROFT. Mr. President, today I would like to congratulate a 
Missourian who has dedicated his life to helping students pursue the 
knowledge and gifts of higher education. He is retiring after 40 years 
of service to Southwest Missouri State University, located in my 
hometown of Springfield, MO. Duane G. Meyer has spent his entire 
postgraduate teaching career at Southwest Missouri State University, 
serving as a teacher for 18 years and an administrator for 22 years, 
including service from 1971-83 as the sixth president of Southwest 
Missouri State.
  Dr. Meyer was born on June 29, 1926, in Carroll, IA, and earned a 
bachelor's degree from the University of Dubuque in Dubuque, IA. He 
went on to earn a master's degree and a Ph.D. from the University of 
Iowa. In 1955, Dr. Meyer arrived in Springfield to begin his career as 
an assistant professor and later professor of history. In 1961, he was 
appointed dean of faculties, a post he held until 1971. During that 
time, Dr. Meyer served as acting president of the university twice, in 
1964 and 1970.
  In 1971, Duane Meyer was selected to be the sixth president of the 
school. During his 12 years as president, Southwest Missouri State 
University experienced unprecedented growth and success. The school was 
renamed Southwest Missouri State University in 1972 through an 
enactment of the Missouri General Assembly. Enrollment increased to all 
time highs every year of his tenure except one, and SMSU became the 
second largest 4-year public institution in the State of Missouri. 
Other notable landmarks of Dr. Meyer's tenure include the
 creation and implementation of an academic master plan, the creation 
of a business school, and the building of a new student event center. 
The SMSU athletic program began competition in NCAA Division One 
competition during his presidency.

  After his retirement as president of the university, Dr. Meyer 
continued to serve Southwest Missouri State as a professor of history 
and president emeritus. He served the State of Missouri as a member of 
the Missouri Council on Public Higher Education Board. My colleague in 
the Senate, then-governor Kit Bond, appointed Dr. Meyer to serve on the 
Missouri Commission on Higher Education. Dr. Meyer has also written two 
textbooks that are still used in classrooms today, including ``The 
Heritage of Missouri: A History.''
  Throughout his 42-year career, Dr. Duane G. Meyer served the students 
and faculty of Southwest Missouri State University and the surrounding 
communities with dedication and pride. As a former teaching colleague 
of Dr. Meyer at SMSU, I am grateful to him for his selfless labors and 
salute his work and the role he played in the education of thousands of 
students from Missouri and across America.

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