Chapter 1:  SMSU: A Mission-Focused Evolving Institution

A History of Change

Since it was first accredited in 1915 by the body now known as the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, Missouri State University has changed in many significant ways. At the time of its first accreditation, the ten-year old institution was known as the Fourth District Normal School. In 1919 the name was changed to Southwest Missouri State Teachers College. This name and mission continued until 1946 when another dramatic change occurred, with the institution’s name becoming Southwest Missouri State College. Additional transitions in the mission and programs of the College led to still another name change to Southwest Missouri State University in 1972. After 33 years as a regional university, the institution received legislative approval to officially change its name once again. On March 17, 2005, as part of the institution’s centennial celebration, Governor Matt Blunt signed a bill that, on August 28, 2005, resulted in the emergence of Missouri State University.

As the University sought to have its name changed to Missouri State University, it argued that the transformation from a regional to a statewide status would officially recognize what had already become a reality. In effect, the new “label” would more accurately reflect what then-President John Keiser referred to as the “contents of the can.”  Now Missouri’s second-largest state-assisted university, Missouri State has evolved from a small district normal school into a comprehensive, metropolitan university with approximately 150 undergraduate level programs, more than 40 master’s level programs, one cooperative doctorate, and one stand-alone professional doctorate. The University has at least one student from all of the 114 counties in the state, from 49 of the 50 states, and from more than 80 foreign countries. In addition to the main campus in Springfield, Missouri State has branch campuses in Mountain Grove and West Plains, Missouri, as well as in Dalian, China. Clearly, the University has outgrown its regional designation with a focus on a 24 county service area. Instead, it has evolved into an institution with statewide, national, and even international significance.

Because the University has had many of the attributes of a statewide institution for several years, including a statewide mission in public affairs, few dramatic changes should be necessary as a result of this latest development. Nevertheless, expectations of continued change exist on campus as the University moves into its second century with a new name, a new status, and a new President.

Please use the navigation bar to access the sections of this chapter

• Chapter 1: SMSU: A Mission-Focused, Evolving Institution
  • A History of Change
  • A Development of a Mission
  • A 2005 Snapshot: System, Setting & Service Area, Programs, Students, Faculty, Staff, and Facilities
  • Significant Changes Since 1995
  • Responses to the 1995 Self-Study
• Chapter 2: The 2005 Self-Study: An Overview of the Process
• Chapter 3: SMSU as a Future-Oriented Organization
• Chapter 4: SMSU as a Learning-Focused Organization
• Chapter 5: SMSU as a Connected Organization
• Chapter 6: SMSU as a Distinctive Organization
• Summary