| From
the Sept 29, 2005, edition of 'Northwest News' Newsletter.
by Dana Ternus
Uel W. Lamkin
When he was named president of Northwest
Missouri State Teachers College in 1921, President Uel W. Lamkin
had already acquired a reputation for excellence in the field
of education.
Though not a college graduate himself, Lamkin
had, at various times during his career, worked as a history teacher,
state high school inspector and Missouri superintendent of schools.
Prior to accepting the presidency, he was
also a member of Northwest’s Board of Regents.
Lamkin served Northwest for nearly 25 years
and brought dramatic changes to virtually every aspect of the
school’s operation. His dedication to the students and faculty
became legendary, as did his tireless efforts to improve campus
facilities and expand the curriculum.
Lamkin made a priority of hiring well-qualified
faculty then encouraging their participation in meetings and conferences
that focused on professional development. He often offered to
help pay travel expenses, which was unusual for an institution
like Northwest in those days. His efforts increased faculty prestige,
enhanced morale and brought national attention to the college.
Practicing what he preached, Lamkin traveled
all over the country and also abroad giving speeches that helped
rally support for Northwest and higher education generally.
A true reformer who welcomed positive change, Lamkin helped bring
the American Association of University Women to campus and convinced
the Board of Regents to establish the first scholarships for international
students.
Lamkin’s most lasting legacy, however,
may have been the number of campus facilities built or improved
during his administration. New structures completed on his watch
included the Residence Hall for women (now Roberta Hall), a new
industrial arts building, Martindale Gymnasium and the Horace
Mann Laboratory School (now Everett W. Brown Education Hall).
The president also arranged for the college
to purchase more land and secured funds for additional landscaping
and beautification.
One of the most significant changes under
Lamkin involved curriculum. The college implemented general education
courses for the first time in 1934, and the school’s official
philosophy toward coursework emphasized the belief that “certain
facts and experiences ought to be the common property of all college
students.”
Patterned after the system used by the University
of Chicago, Northwest now required students to take courses in
humanities, social science, biology and composition during their
freshman and sophomore years.
When he retired in 1945, Lamkin’s
vision had literally transformed Northwest into a major state
institution of higher education. Much of this work was done under
the extremely trying circumstances created by the Depression and
World War II. His departure was met with great sadness.
Today, Lamkin is perhaps best remembered
for his passionate support of physical education and intercollegiate
sports. These contributions were formally recognized in 1956 when
a new gymnasium, now the Lamkin Activity Center housing Bearcat
Arena, was named in his honor.
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