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By Virgil Albertini, Ph.D.
President Hubbard earned a Ph.D. from
Stanford and has a degree from Yonsei University in Seoul, Korea,
plus a bachelor’s and master’s from Andrews University
in Berrien Springs, Mich.
After developing and teaching in an English
language program in Korea, Hubbard returned to the academic setting
at Loma Linda University as an assistant to the president. He
became a consultant and then succeeded the chief academic officer
at Union College in Lincoln, Neb., where he stayed for 12 years
in that position.
Becoming a university president was never
Hubbard’s intention, but in 1984 Ron Roskins, the president
of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, told him that the presidential
position at Northwest Missouri State University was open and that
he should apply. Knowing most of the major players in higher education
in addition to Roskins and feeling that Northwest offered an ideal
situation, Hubbard accepted the presidency at Northwest in the
fall of 1984. He wondered, too, if one is ever ready for these
jobs, and he has always been astonished that Northwest would take
a chance on someone from a small conservative church college.
He believes strongly that luck is the intersection between opportunity
and preparation.
Hubbard lists the Culture of Quality as
a hallmark of his work as president. He entered the field of quality
in the 80s when he read about Truman State University and asked
how he could create a Culture of Quality. He then called his council
together because he feels that culture is a major element in institutional
success. Thus, both the Culture of Quality and the Electronic
Campus came to fruition in 1987.
The Electronic Campus, according to Hubbard,
is a historical textbook case. Northwest in the mid-80s faced
declining enrollment but by 1991 enrollment increased by 25 percent.
Hubbard feels that all is doable, and he attributes the student
increase to the success of the Electronic Campus. Unleashing people’s
creativity rather than mandating it, a Culture of Quality creates
a much more satisfying and productive working environment —
an environment where students, faculty and staff share successes
and work extremely hard to be on a winning team.
During his tenure, Hubbard has led the institution
through many positive changes. He thinks that once a president
has had a long tenure — like 10 years — that he/she
could lose credibility. However, he feels that his presidential
life has gotten easier the last seven years. For him, the machine
now runs incredibly well.
Hubbard stays fresh in his role as president
by being mentally involved in the task at hand. He refreshes himself
by occasionally getting away to his place at Table Rock. Here
he has a magnificent woodworking shop where he can happily and
passionately lose himself in his hobby for hours.
During his tenure in leading Northwest,
Hubbard cites many memorable experiences. One that thrills him
immensely is the Bearcat’s first national football championship
in 1998. Winning three Missouri Quality Awards and earning three
site visits for the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Awards also
rank high. Obtaining the first Nacubo Award by the National Association
of College and University Business Officers (1996) in Minnesota
also merits special mention.
Of course, some disheartening or negative
experiences exist, too, when leading a university of 6,500 students.
Number one on his list occurred in 1988 when the faculty offered
a vote of no confidence. He feels that more communication between
the faculty and the administration would have gotten around the
tension at that time.
Hubbard’s time has been marked with
many accomplishments. He is justly proud of the Culture of Quality,
the Electronic Campus, the Missouri Quality Award, and the site
visits for the Malcolm Baldrige Quality Award. The future of agriculture
concerns him, but he is convinced that biopharming — his
very present project — will make an impact on both the University
and the Maryville community.
President Hubbard credits Aleta, his
wife, for much of his success. He feels that they are two people
clicking on many dimensions. They enjoy doing things together
and maintain the same interests — travel, plays, reading,
and hobbies (including woodworking). She also complements him
in his role, for she has proven to be an accomplished hostess
and tireless organizer in helping Northwest and the Maryville
community.
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