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By Virgil Albertini, Ph.D.
President Foster holds both bachelor’s
and master’s degrees from Central Missouri State University,
Warrensburg, and the Ed.D. from the University of Missouri, Columbia.
He worked through several administrative
ranks at Northwest Missouri State University: registrar, director
of admissions and dean of administration. After serving in
the latter position for five years, several faculty and regents
urged him to apply for the president’s position. Heeding
their suggestion, Foster was appointed to the post in 1964,
succeeding J.W. Jones, who retired at that time.
Several hallmarks distinguish Foster’s
career as leader of Northwest. He oversaw Northwest’s name
change from college to university, and he led the acquisition
for much needed land for buildings, agricultural development and
recreational facilities for students and faculty. Many buildings
were added during his 13 years and extensive improvements also
were completed.
Foster was instrumental in acquiring
nearly $15 million for capital improvements and in originating
and developing the Northwest Foundation, an organization which
has paid huge dividends for the University. His long and arduous
efforts to secure funding are legendary — much of it from
federal sources, for the creation of KXCV-FM.
In addition to the above, Foster witnessed
many other changes as president. One major one was the growth
in student enrollment. The institution had 500 students when he
became registrar and had increased to 6,500 at the time of his
retirement.
Another significant change was the
removal of the tedious and time-consuming process of registration,
a burden for students, faculty and administrators alike. Foster
instituted technology to help relieve the hassles of registration,
which certainly alleviated the headaches at enrollment time and
made it possible for students to enroll more quickly and efficiently
each semester.
Talking with students and keeping
an open door policy always kept Foster alert and aware of campus
life. He enjoyed being with them individually or in groups, and
he liked their quality and character. Always proud of his relationship
and closeness with students, Foster feels that he helped many
of them through some difficult times. As a former college basketball
player and high school coach, he relieved stress as president
by golfing, swimming and hunting. He also was active as a Boy
Scout leader and State Commander of the American Legion.
It was disheartening to him when he
saw those who sacrificed quality for quantity and the fact that
the University could not always pay the faculty what he felt they
deserved. He thinks that the state can do much better in funding
higher education. Low salaries and not enough financial help for
students definitely ranked as negative experiences for him while
he was president.
Many competent leaders will attribute
much of their success to their wives. Foster is no exception.
He lauds his wife, Virginia, for her wonderful support and help
and for her many sacrifices. He credits her for always being positive,
enthusiastic, loving, and a gracious hostess. He says that she
shares his success and that he could not have done it alone.
Foster draws tremendous satisfaction
from his tenure as president, and his reputation is enhanced because
of it. This adaptable and durable man witnessed tremendous growth
and advancement, and he confronted some of the most difficult
times in Northwest’s history.
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