MSSU Welcome

Vice Chair (2008-2009)
(Appointed Sept. 4, 2003; Term expires Sept. 4, 2009)
Rod Anderson of Monett was the first appointment to the Missouri Southern State University Board of Governors after the institution received University status. Gov. Bob Holden announced the appointment on Sept. 8, 2003. Mr. Anderson filled a position on the Board of Governors created by the signing of Senate Bill 55. Mr. Anderson is Vice President at Produce Brokers and Distributors, Inc., located in Monett. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing and Management from Missouri Southern in 1976. He graduated with Magna Cum Laude honors.

He earned the Boy Scouts of America Eagle Scout Award in 1966 and was named Missouri Mr. FBLA (Future Business Leader of America) in 1971. Anderson served in the Missouri Army National Guard for six years. He has served on the Monett R‑1 School Board for more than 10 years and served as Board President. He is heavily involved in community activities in Monett. When the Governor signed Senate Bill 55 on July 12, 2003, the name of Missouri Southern State College was changed to Missouri Southern State University‑Joplin and a position was added to the appointed governing body, which also had its name changed from Board of Regents to Board of Governors. The name change officially occurred on Aug. 28, 2003. Legislation approved and effective August 28, 2005 changed the institution’s name to Missouri Southern State University.

Vice Chair (2009-2010)
(Appointed April 24, 2006; Term expires August 30, 2011)
David H. Jones, Springfield, was appointed to serve a six-year term on the MSSU Board of Governors by Gov. Matt Blunt on April 24, 2006. His appointment, which runs through August 30, 2011, was confirmed during Senate hearings. He attended his first MSSU Board of Governors' meeting Thursday, May 11, 2006.

He represents the eighth member of the Board of Governors as the result of a position created from legislation in 2005. Mr. Jones is associated with a private law practice he began in 1978 in Springfield.

It easily could be said that Southern Green and Gold is in his blood. Mr. Jones graduated from Joplin Junior College in 1963, but his connections to Missouri Southern run much deeper. He is the grandson of E.O. Humphrey, a member of the original Joplin Junior College faculty in 1937 and the school’s first football coach. He coached the Lions’ first season and later, in 1972 the E.O. & Virginia Humphrey Award was established. The award is presented annually to Missouri Southern's most outstanding student-athlete who exhibits the highest respect for the University, outstanding athletic ability, outstanding leadership, and respect for fellow teammates and students. His mother, Jeanne Jones of Joplin, his brother and his sister all attended Joplin Junior College. His father is the late Charles Jones, who also attended Missouri Southern. Former MSSU Director of Admissions, Richard Humphrey, is David’s uncle.

After earning his associate’s and bachelor’s degrees, he worked for the Missouri Department of Corrections as a probation and parole officer in Kansas City. He then attended law school and earned his Juris Doctorate from the University of Arkansas. He opened a law office in Joplin in 1972 before being appointed as an Assistant U.S. Attorney as a Federal Prosecutor assigned to the Kansas City/Springfield office, which oversaw the Joplin office. He commanded Headquarters Company of the National Guard 203rd Engineer Combat Battalion (Heavy) based in Joplin and retired as a lieutenant colonel with 36 years of service. His community services is extensive.

H. Dwight Douglas, (R) Joplin
CHAIR (2006-2007, 2007-2008, 2008-2009)
PAST BOARD PRESIDENT (2004-2005);
(Appointed 2003 to unexpired term of Stephen Carlton; first term expired 2005; Reappointed February 28, 2006 for a term ending August 30, 2011)

Mr. Douglas has a bachelor's degree in political science and a JD from the University of Missouri. He has practiced law in Neosho since 1968. He is a Viet Nam veteran. He has served on a number of state boards including the Governor's Task Force on Dioxin, The Environmental Improvement and Energy Resources Authority and The Safe Drinking Water Commission. He is a past President of the Board of Regents for Southwest Missouri State University, now Missouri State University. Mr. Douglas has received the EPA Partnership Award for volunteer work at the Pools Prairie Superfund Site and he is the recipient of the Book of Golden Deeds from both the Joplin and Neosho Exchange Clubs. He has been the part time Municipal Judge in Neosho since 1976. He serves as Corporate Counsel for Freeman Health System and practices law in the areas of estate planning, health care, real estate and commercial transactions.

David Ansley, (D) Springfield
(Appointed March 4, 2004; Term expires August 30, 2009)
Mr. Ansley is a partner in the law firm Hall, Ansley, Rodgers & Sweeney, P.C. in Springfield. He was appointed to fill the expired term of Mr. Glenn Wilson. Mr. Ansley earned a bachelor’s degree from Missouri Southern State University in 1970 and a law degree (J.D.) from the University of Missouri – Columbia in 1973.

He specializes in plaintiff personal injury and plaintiff medical malpractice cases. He is a member of the Missouri Bar and a past president of the Springfield Metropolitan Bar. He has served on the Missouri Ethics Commission (1993-94) and the Appellate Judicial Appointments Commission (1996-2001). He also is affiliated with the American College of Trial Lawyers and the American Trial Lawyers Association.

Charles C. McGinty, D.D.S., (R) Joplin
(Appointed 2000; Reappointed by Gov. Matt Blunt, confirmed January 27, 2005 by Senate; Term expires August 30, 2010)
Dr. McGinty has managed a private dentistry practice, Associates of Dentistry, LLC, in Joplin since 1977. His community involvement includes election four times for 12 years on the Joplin R-VIII Board of Education, a member of the Salvation Army Board of Directors; and a member of the Joplin Chamber of Commerce Education Committee (Chairperson 1991).

He also is a member of the First Presbyterian Church, Joplin Kiwanis Club, Joplin Masonic Lodge No. 335 AF & AM, Scottish Rite and Shrine. He taught oral pathology to dental hygiene students at Missouri Southern for two years and has been a member of the College's Advisory Committee on Dental Programs. He received the Joplin Jaycees Distinguished Service Award in 1985.

Nancy D. Perry, (R) Carthage
(Appointed June 14, 2007; Term expires Aug. 30, 2012)
Nancy D. Perry, of Carthage, was appointed by Gov. Matt Blunt and nominated for the eight-member board by state Sen. Gary Nodler, R-Joplin. A successful businessperson in the community, Perry graduated from MSSU in 1988 with a bachelor of science degree in business administration. Perry, 48, is a vice president at Grace Energy Corp., which operated several Fastrip and Snak-Atak convenience stores in the Four-State Area.

She also owns Masterson’s, a kitchen and decor store in Joplin. Perry replaced Elizabeth Deffenbaugh, whose term had expired.

Richard (Dick) A. Walter, (I) Joplin
(Appointed Nov. 16, 2007; Term expires Aug. 30, 2013)
Richard (Dick) A. Walter (I), Joplin, was appointed by Gov. Matt Blunt to the eight-member Board of Governors at MSSU on Nov. 16, 2007. Mr. Walter retired in 2005 as a district engineer from the Missouri Department of Transportation. Mr. Walter holds an associate's degree in computing analysis from Missouri Southern State University and a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from the University of Missouri-Rolla (Missouri University of Science & Technology as of Jan. 1, 2008).

His education also included the Transportation Officer Basic Course at the U.S. Army Transportation School, the Engineer Officer Advanced Course at the U.S. Army Training Support Center and the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College.

His his 36-year career with the Missouri Department of Transportation (1969-2005), Mr. Walter was District Engineer for District 7 in Joplin; Assistant Division Engineer - Bridge Maintenance, and Field Liaison Engineer - Traffic for the Maintenance and Traffic Division in Jefferson City; District Maintenance and Traffic Engineer for District 2 (Macon); Traffic Studies and Corrections Engineer for Maintenance and Traffic Division (Jefferson City); and District Maintenance Engineer, District Highway Design Engineer, Senior Highway Designer and Highway Designer for District 7 (Joplin).

He served in numerous leadership roles for the Missouri Army National Guard (1976-1994) in St. Louis, Jefferson City, Joplin, Monett, and Pierce City and he also served as Platoon Leader for the 418th Transportation Company at Fort Hood for the United States Army in 1969-1971.

He is a member of the Fellowship Baptist Church in Joplin where he is a teacher and a deacon and he is a member of the Joplin Rotary Club.

Dr. Roger D. Chelf holds a PhD in Physics from Georgia Tech (1982), and an MS in Engineering from University of Kentucky. Prior to coming to Missouri Southern, Dr. Chelf taught physics and engineering courses for more than 13 years and conducted engineering research eight additional years at four colleges including Lamar University in Beaumont, TX (1988-95). Dr. Chelf joined MSSU in Fall 1995. He teaches a wide range of physics classes and enjoys mixing his experience in both engineering and physics into his courses. As a hobby, Dr. Chelf tends his organic farm, where he conducts biophysical plant research. His interests include a wide range of topics such as the ion uptake of plants and solar greenhouse designs. His goal is to run a completely self-sufficient cattle farm. He is experimenting with new types of cattle feed to reduce the methane output of cattle to help reduce global warming and reduce the feed bill.

Darren Fullerton, Director of Student Life, is serving as president of the Staff Senate. He holds a M.Ed. in Education from University of Arkansas, and a B.S. in Physical Education from Missouri Southern State University. Prior to coming to Missouri Southern, Mr. Fullerton taught and served as the Associate Director of Recreational Sports at the University of Arkansas for seven years. In addition, Mr. Fullerton taught and served as the Director of Campus Recreation at the University of Missouri – Kansas City for more than four years. Mr. Fullerton has served in leadership roles in a variety of community organizations including:

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