Southeast Missouri State University student publication

Dobbins' legacy transforms Southeast's campus

Tuesday, May 5, 2015

The environment in which students learn affects the outcome of their success, and the quality of the opportunities that are available to them. President Dobbins has made it his mission over the years to "create an environment for students to succeed" in.

"We've done a lot of classroom utilization projects," Dobbins said. "That gave us an idea on what we should be doing scheduling classes, where should we be putting our money when it comes to classroom renovations, things of that nature."

Increased enrollment and a more diverse population are some of the benefits Southeast Missouri State University has experienced due to the contributions completed under President Dobbins. The changes have been necessary to accommodate students', faculty and administration's needs over time.

"Over the last decade we've gone from 300 some African American students to over 1000," Dobbins said. "Around 200 international to almost 1100 from, I think, 35 different countries."

One of the most important projects, according to Dobbins, was the construction process involved in updating Carnahan Hall. It holds a historic character because of its connection to the original campus.

"It's one of those that you can never replace it," Dobbins said. "That one is part of the original campus and you couldn't build another one that looks like it. We had to condemn it, move three departments out and then we had to put flying buttresses around to hold the outside. We tore everything out, and then put a steel supported building inside and tied the brick to the inside. That was an amazing job, I mean it was wonderful. So that was a way to save it."

One of the most recent accomplishments made during his time in office is establishing the new location for the Center for Excellence in Mass Media at 325 Broadway.

"We found that there are some buildings that, like Grauel, it is used more than any other facility on this campus, and there are others that aren't," Dobbins said. "Grauel needs to be redone because of accreditation purposes and we've moved the Center for Excellence in Mass Media down to Broadway, and that's important to me. Grauel then being reconfigured so accreditation business will make sure they're reaccredited. So that's kind of high on our priorities."

In the fall of 2014, the River Campus Center opened and was named after him, as well as his wife, Jeanine Dobbins.

"We opened it in August and in February it was dedicated," Dobbins said. "It was great, and I thank the board for naming that after both of us. I appreciate so much, the board, and them doing that. I also appreciate the River Campus is obviously, one of the pillars of Southeast Missouri State. In the branding study that's one of them that we will be focusing on,

"That was a big delivery. Remember, during that time 9/11 occurred so the stock market went down the tubes. We had some tax credits but no one was doing anything, and then an inflation occurred. Over nine years the cost of this deal went up, so we had that to face."

All of the experiences are memorable to him due to the people and planning involved in each development.

"Dempster Hall is one that's kind of interesting," Dobbins said. "Because we had a budget shortfall, we redesigned the whole building and built it in 14 months, and it's still is so functional. That's really important, that building. It's an anchor."

He expressed how important it is for the buildings to remain functional and contribute to the learning experience of students.

"I think it's important that we have a place for student organizations to, whether it's to store stuff, or it's to assemble and have meetings, to have a place to gather." Dobbins said.

Dobbins has been involved in building projects that maintain millions of dollars in value.

"You've got to think about how you're going to reinvest or invest in the academic structure," Dobbins said. "During my presidency we've had over $400 million worth of capital projects including four residence halls, and the River Campus, some Academic Hall renovation, Magill. The campus really looks very nice. That's what I hear all the time."

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