Join us as the Northwest community comes together to celebrate the historic inauguration of Dr. Lance Tatum.
The public is invited to the April 19 inauguration of Northwest's 11th president, Dr. Lance Tatum. The ceremony begins at 1:30 p.m. in Bearcat Arena, at Lamkin Activity Center on the campus of Northwest Missouri State University. A reception with refreshments will follow the ceremony in the lobby of Lamkin Activity Center. All are welcome to attend.
Northwest is pleased to host Dr. Jack Hawkins Jr., chancellor of Troy University, to deliver the keynote address at the inauguration of Dr. Lance Tatum.
Matt Gaarder is president of the Northwest Alumni Association Board of Directors and a 1997 alumnus of the University, earning a bachelor’s degree in broadcasting. He is the owner of Rapid Elite, a printing supplier in Maryville, and is active in the community as founder of the Maryville Downtown Improvement organization, past president and current member of the Maryville Host Lions Club, and congregation president at Hope Lutheran Church in Maryville. He is a long-time voice of Bearcat athletics and board chair for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes of Northwest Missouri.
Leisha Barry has served as president of the Northwest Foundation Board of Directors since 2022 and earned her bachelor’s degree in medical technology at the University in 1984. A resident of Liberty, Missouri, she retired in 2015 as its vice president of client services at Cerner Corporation, having served with the company since its infancy and worked with hospitals outside the U.S. to transform the way healthcare is delivered. She has remained active with various philanthropic boards and volunteer projects, including as interim executive director for the Liberty Public Schools Foundation and as president of the Liberty Hospital Foundation.
Dr. Rhonda Beemer serves as the president of Northwest’s Faculty Senate and the University’s faculty athletics representative. She joined the faculty in 2015 and holds the rank of associate professor of health and physical education in the School of Health Science and Wellness. She holds a bachelor’s degree in exercise science with an emphasis in athletic training and health and fitness from Missouri Valley College, a master’s degree in physical education from Eastern Kentucky University, and a doctorate in administration and teaching in human performance from the University of Southern Mississippi.
Selena Foreman is chair of Northwest’s Staff Council. She joined the University staff in 2016 and currently is a coordinator in the Office of Student Affairs. She earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology at Northwest in 2011.
Elizabeth Motazedi is serving her second term as president of Northwest’s Student Senate and is the student regent on the University’s Board of Regents. A native of Joplin, Missouri, she is completing her bachelor’s degree in social studies-history education. She is a member of Phi Mu sorority and serves as a student representative on the Northwest Alumni Association Board of Directors.
