Board of Governors

UCM's Board of Governors is composed of eight members, all from the state of Missouri. Seven of the board members have voting privileges; the eighth is a student representative and does not.

Marvin E. "Bunky" Wright was named to the Board of Governors in November 2009, and currently serves as board president. He has an extensive background in higher education, having served as general counsel for the University of Missouri System from 1998-2008, and as legal counsel for the MU System from 1967-1979. Wright also served as legal counsel for Stephens College, Columbia College, and Westminster College while in private practice. He previously served as a consultant to the UCM Board of Governors and president and as interim general counsel for several months during the 2008-2009 academic year.

Wright graduated from the University of Missouri School of Law in 1964, and earned a bachelor's degree in chemistry from MU in 1958. He has been in private practice since April 1, 2008. His experience in the legal profession includes associate in the firm of Finch, Finch, Knehans & Cochran from 1964-1967, and partner in the firm of Knight, Ford, Wright, Atwill, Parshall & Baker, LLC from 1979-1998. He is past president of the Missouri Bar Association and past president of the National Association of College and University Attorneys. He was recently appointed to the Missouri Higher Education Loan Authority Board.

Wright's board term expires December 31, 2015.

Gus S. Wetzel, II, M.D. was appointed to the Board of Governors in November 2011, and currently serves as board vice president.  He is well known throughout the Clinton area for his work in the medical field as well as his strong record of community involvement. Wetzel served as mayor from 1994-2010, and spent six years on the Clinton School Board, including two years as president. His service to the community includes 40 years of membership in the Clinton Rotary Club, and serving as a trustee and holding leadership positions in the United Methodist Church and St. Paul School of Theology boards. He also served for three years on the National School Boards federation in Washington, D.C., an appointment by former Congressman Ike Skelton.

Wetzel has served as a board certified general surgeon at Golden Valley Medical Clinic and Golden Valley Medical Center, with a medical practice in Clinton since 1972. He has been involved in the business community, serving since 1999 as a director on the Hawthorn Bank board. His business experiences include board chair of Union State Bancshares and president of Meadow Lake Properties, Inc., and member of the Health Midwest Ventures board. Before following in his father’s footsteps to become a Clinton physician and surgeon, Dr. Wetzel earned a bachelor's degree from Westminster College in Fulton in 1963, and his M.D. from Tulane Medical School, New Orleans, LA., in 1967, where he also completed his surgical residency training in 1972.

Wetzel's board term expires January 1, 2017.

Mary Dandurand was named to the Board of Governors in November 2009 and currently serves as board secretary. Dandurand earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree in clothing and textiles at the University of Central Missouri in 1978. She served the university community from 1993-1995 as coordinator of Student Volunteer Programs, where her accomplishments included involving students, faculty, and staff in Habitat for Humanity projects and initiating a student volunteer organization. She also served as assistant director of the Self-Instruction Center/Computer Lab from 1980-1986, where she provided support to faculty and students in media presentations and computer lab work.

She has worked as a rental property manager in the Warrensburg community for JEDRO Properties – The Tiehen Group since 2004. She was previously involved in the local residential real estate market from 2001-2004 as a licensed real estate agent with DeLozier Realty Company/Key Realty Company.

Dandurand's term expires December 31, 2015.

John A. Collier was named to the Board of Governors in January 2013. He has worked for State Farm Insurance since 1987, holding positions that include claim supervisor, claim superintendent, and his current position of claim team manager that he has held since 1997 and where is has oversight of complex claims and litigation matters involving the company and its policyholders.

Collier earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Public Relations from the University of Central Missouri in 1986. His strong commitment to civic duty and community service has resulted in him serving 12 years on the City of Weston's Board of Aldermen; involvement in such groups as Weston's Missouri Economic Development Committee; the city's Planning and Zoning Board; and his current position as President of the West Platte R-II School Board. Additionally, he has been active in the Mid-Continent Sports Association and has held a number of positions within Boy Scouts of America.

Collier's term expires January 1, 2019.

Weldon Brady was appointed to the Board of Governors in February 2008. His 30 year banking career included stints with The Citizen Bank of Warrensburg, The Bank of Holden, and 20 years as the president/owner of The Bank of Knob Noster. His business development endeavors also include the Holiday Inn Express in Warrensburg, Missouri, as well as several real estate development projects.

Brady earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics from the University of Central Missouri in 1964, and since that time has been a strong supporter of the university and its athletic teams. His professional affiliations include many years on UCM's Foundation Board of Directors including roles as finance chair and past president; member and past president of the Johnson County Economic Development Corporation; member and current president of Whiteman Area Leadership Council; and past member of Board of Directors of Western Missouri Medical Center.

Brady replaced Jennifer Hill Nixon. His term expired January 1, 2012, but he continues to serve until a replacement is appointed by the Governor.

Walter “Walt” Hicklin was named to the Board of Governors in June 2007.   He retired in 2006 as Vice President emeritus of Student Affairs at the University of Central Missouri after having served the university for 31 years.  He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in mathematics from Missouri Valley College, a Master of Science in mathematics from the University of Central Missouri, and an Education Specialist degree in higher education administration from UCM.

He has served as president of the Johnson County United Way, Warrensburg Rotary Club, and Warrensburg R-VI School Board.  Hicklin also serves as a deacon and elder for First Presbyterian Church and previously sat on the Central Missouri Community Credit Union Board of Directors.  Of special note is his 37 years of service on the American Legion Missouri Boys State Board of Directors.

His term expired on January 1, 2013, however he continues to serve until a replacement is appointed by the Governor. 

Mary A. Long was appointed to the Board of Governors in May 2009. Her career in public education began in 1968 as teacher, coordinator and director. She later became Dean of Instruction & Student Services for the Metropolitan Community Colleges in 1983 and served until 1986 when she became Assistant Principal and Principal for the Kansas City Missouri School District and retired in2007. After retirement, Mary established a consultant group specializing in providing expert assistance in the areas of leadership development, team development, and management training to aspiring and current administrators. Long has received numerous recognitions including the National Association of Counties Training Award, the Chancellor's Commendation for Assessment of Business & Industry Needs, and past President Jimmy Carter and Millard Fuller Habitat house build for Sigma Gamma Rho sorority. Long has also served as a past board member for the YWCA, United Way, Women's Chamber, and NAACP. Her professional affiliations include several community organizations, which includes Societas Docta, Inc.; a national network and mentoring group for diverse women working toward their doctoral degree.

Long received a Bachelor of Science in Business Education from Alcorn A&M University, a Master of Science degree in Vocational Business Education from Mississippi State University, a Specialist degree in Secondary Administration from the University of Missouri-Kansas City, and a Doctoral Degree in Career, Technical, & Occupation Education from NOVA University. Her term expired on January 1, 2011, however she continues to serve until a replacement is appointed by the Governor.

Kyle Shell was appointed to the Board of Governors in April 2012. Shell is a senior who is pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in Safety Management. Upon completion of his B.S. degree, he plans to continue on at UCM in pursuit of a master's in Occupational Safety Management degree. In addition to his studies, Shell is a Student Ambassador for the University and a volunteer fire fighter for the New Melle Fire Protection District.

Shell's past volunteerism includes work with the Missouri Veterans Home and Teachers Warehouse in Warrensburg and the American Heart Society. Additionally, he has previously served in several leadership positions that includes three years as a Student Government Association Senator; a facilitator for the IMPACT Leadership Experience; Chair and Vice Chair of College Republicans; member of the Houts-Hosey Hall Council; and leader for Freshmen Orientations and Week of Welcome. Shell is a member of the American Society of Safety Engineers and Rho Sigma Kappa, a Safety Honors Fraternity.

In addition to his volunteer work with the New Melle Fire Protection District, Shell is also employed at New Melle Sports and Recreation where he helps manage the non-profit organization that serves as the host for little league baseball, softball, and football.

Shell's term expires December 31, 2013.