Dobbins leaves lasting impact

After 16 years as president of Southeast Missouri State University, Dr. Kenneth W. Dobbins announced that he planned to retire at the end of the 2014-15 academic year.

After he announced his retirement, Dobbins said he planned to do some higher education consulting for the American Association of State Colleges and University's Penson Center for Professional Development.

During his time at Southeast, academic programs have enhanced, and the entire university has earned accreditation and had consistent enrollment increases.

Dobbins affected Southeast's campus tremendously, not only within funding and academic program enhancements, but among faculty and also students. He has touched many lives by not only being involved with his peers in a professional business setting but also in a personal setting.

"Over the past two years I have spent a lot of time with Dr. Dobbins and probably more than most would care to spend," Senior Associate to the President Brady Barke said. "He is a great leader, mentor and friend."

Barke said he has seen firsthand how much Dobbins cares about Southeast. He wishes him the best in his retirement and hopes he enjoys spending more time with his family.

Dobbins was considered to be like a "parent" to Southeast in more ways than one. Like a parent going through changes with their child entering the adult world, Dobbins has been through many changes at Southeast from the Indians to Redhawk name change, mascot changes and residence hall changes.

From conversations and taking interest in students and faculty members, the president has consistently proven just a few of the ways he's left his mark at Southeast. He has built many relationships with a wide range of business professionals and gone above and beyond to facilitate the needs of the campus.

"I commend our outgoing president for not only getting Southeast recognized on a local level but also on a national level," Associate Dean of Students Trent Ball said. "Dr. Dobbins always found a way to get things taken care of no matter the cost."

Retention Specialist India Jeffery said she has had more personal encounters with Dobbins than business. She said he played more of a mentoring role in her life before anything else.

"He saw me with a baby in my belly, then later having my baby and seeing him trying to hold him was a different kind of moment for me that I will always hold on to," Jeffery said. "Being able to see him so family oriented and then juggling the professional side of him has been amazing."

Director of TRIO and Student Support Services Valdis Zalite, Retention Specialists Rashaun Henry and Jeffery along with Ball agreed that students and other faculty members may not know just how down to earth Dobbins really is. They said he comes off very stern at a glance, but the biggest thing that attributes his personality is that he is approachable and humble. He genuinely cares about the people he comes in contact with and that may stem from him being so family oriented.

Zalite said he would miss the welcome back picnics with Dobbins and saying welcome to the incoming students as they start their new journey in life at Southeast. This was something he always looked forward to with him.

Southeast is known for its motto "Honoring Tradition, Inspiring Success," and Dobbins has been a consistent factor in bringing about positive change on record levels. He has left a legacy that will always be appreciated by students and faculty.