The Missouri State University board of governors has approved a two-year contract extension for the chancellor of its West Plains campus.
Dr. Drew Bennett’s extension runs through June 30, 2014. He became chancellor July 1, 2007.
“In the past five years, Drew has provided good leadership for the West Plains campus,” said Missouri State Interim President Clifton M. Smart III. “Enrollment has grown, relationships in the seven counties have been strengthened, and the West Plains campus has become more integrated with the rest of the Missouri State system. I am pleased to make this recommendation, and I am pleased that Drew has accepted and the board has approved it.”
“While I am extremely proud of the accomplishments that our faculty and staff team have achieved over the past five years on the West Plains campus,” said Bennett, “I am even more excited about what we can do together in the future.”
Bennett’s salary for 2012-’13 will be $150,000, an increase from this year’s $138,822, making it more consistent with salaries for other Missouri community college presidents, MSU said. In addition, Bennett will have membership to the West Plains County Club and live in the Richards Home, the chancellor’s residence at West Plains.
Before coming to West Plains, Bennett was commandant of the Marine Corps Chair, National War College, National Defense University at Ft. McNair in Washington, D.C.
Before joining the National War College, he spent 30 years in the U.S. Marine Corps before retiring in 2007 as a colonel. During his military career, which included a tour as chief of staff of the 3rd Marine Division in Okinawa, Japan, he also spent 12½ years in the higher education field, serving as a full-time faculty member for 3½ years at Texas A&M and two years at the National War College and as an adjunct professor at both the community and four-year college level. Those schools included Blinn College, Central Texas College, George Washington University and Norwich University.
Bennett received his bachelor’s degree from Tulane University, a master’s degree in human relations from Golden Gate University, a master’s degree in security strategy at the National War College and a doctorate in adult and extension education from Texas A&M University.