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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.

Richard PhillipsRichard Phillips was named to the Board of Governors in February 2005 and currently serves as the board president.  His career in public education  spans 39 years in a variety of capacities, including 14 years as superintendent and assistant superintendent of schools and 14 years with the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. His many career achievements include supervising the design and implementation of the Missouri School Improvement Program, the third classification program in the state's history, and co-founding the Show-Me Curriculum Administrator's Association. Retired since 2000, Phillips has established a consulting firm that provides educational services to public schools and state agencies. His work focuses on enhancing student performance issues and providing assistance to groups working with children at risk of school failure. He currently serves as the director of the Missouri Student Success Network.

Phillips holds three degrees from University of Central Missouri -- a Bachelor of Science in physical education ('65), a Master of Science in physical education ('67), and an Education Specialist in school administration ('72). He also worked at UCM as assistant football coach from 1970 to 1972. In 2002, Phillips was elected to UCM's Alumni Board of Directors and served as its vice president in 2003 and president in 2004. 

Phillips' board term expires Jan. 1, 2011.

Walt HicklinWalter “Walt” Hicklin was named to the Board of Governors in June 2007, and currently serves as board vice president.   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.

Hicklin’s board term expires January 1, 2013. 

 

Weldon Brady

Weldon Brady was appointed to the Board of Governors in February 2008, and currently serves as board secretary.  He has served as Senior Vice President and Chief Lending Officer for the Bank of Holden since 2001, and was formerly the president/owner of the Bank of Knob Noster from 1966 to 1986.  His business development endeavors also include the Holiday Inn Express in Warrensburg, Missouri.

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; and member of the Board of Directors of Western Missouri Medical Center and the Whiteman Area Leadership Council.

Brady replaces Jennifer Hill Nixon.  His term expires January 1, 2012.

Mary DandurandMary Dandurand was named to the Board of Governors in November 2009. 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.

Edward BakerEdward L. Baker was appointed to the Board of Governors in April 2007.  He has been Executive Vice President and Partner of Executive Hotel Management since 1985, where his duties have included serving as General Manager of the Hilton Hotel in Columbia, supervising the construction of the community's largest convention center, and facilitating the conversion of the Hilton to Holiday Inn and Holiday Inn Select.  He also facilitated the purchase of the Radisson Hotel in Knoxville, Tennessee, and the purchase of a Sheraton hotel in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and supervised the building and opening of a 45,000 square-foot convention center.

Baker earned a Bachelor of Science degree in general studies at the University of Missouri-Columbia in May 1987, after previously attending Missouri Southern and Lincoln universities.  A strong supporter of UCM athletics, Baker has been a member of the Mule Train since 2002.  His professional affiliations have included serving as past chair of the Missouri Governor's Task Force on Tourism, advisory member of the University of Missouri Hotel and Restaurant School, and board president for the Missouri Hotel/Motel Association.

Baker's term expires January 1, 2013.

Marvin WrightMarvin “Bunky” Wright was named to the Board of Governors in November 2009. 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. He previously served as a consultant to the UCM Board of Governors and president and 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 1964-1979, 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.

Wright’s board term expires December 31, 2015.

Mary LongMary A. Long was appointed to the Board of Governors in May 2009, replacing Michelle Wimes. 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. In 1997, she became a high school principal at Van Horn High School in the Kansas City Missouri School District where she served until her retirement in 2007. 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 an Ed.D in Career, Technical, & Occupation Education from NOVA University. Her term expires on January 1, 2011.

Ryan SandersRyan P. Sanders was appointed to the Board of Governors in April 2008, replacing Anthony “Art” Arton. Sanders is a junior pursuing a degree in Aviation Technology with an emphasis in Flight Operations Management. He is currently a Student Ambassador in the Admissions department and also serves the aviation department at the Max B. Swisher Skyhaven Airport.

Sanders is the recipient of such awards as the Aviation Departmental Achievement Award and the Saint Charles County Youth Salute Silver Star of the Year Award. Sanders represented the state of Missouri at the National Council on Youth Leadership in Washington D.C. and he also served as the President of the Mayors Youth Advisory Council for the city of O’Fallon. He is currently holding an internship at the Spirit of St. Louis Airport in Chesterfield.

Sanders’ term expires December 31, 2009.