WEST PLAINS, Mo. – In the spirit of those who established Missouri State University-West Plains over 50 years ago, campus officials presented long-time West Plains businessman and community leader Norman “Joe” Spears with the prestigious Granvil Vaughan Founder’s Award during Saturday’s Missouri State-West Plains commencement ceremonies at the West Plains Civic Center.
The award, named in honor of the campus’ founder, the late Missouri State Rep. Granvil Vaughan, was presented to Spears by Missouri State-West Plains Chancellor Drew Bennett. The award is given annually at commencement to recognize individuals who have made a significant impact upon the mission of Missouri State-West Plains. Spears is the 18th person to receive the award.
“Joe Spears has been a supporter of our campus from the start, and he has continued that support for over 50 years,” Chancellor Drew Bennett said. “His many contributions, financially and in deed, to our campus represent the community effort that made Missouri State-West Plains possible. His service to this community serves as an example for everyone.”
Spears has been a supporter of Missouri State-West Plains since its inception in 1963. His late wife, Glyn, was one of the original 111 students who attended classes at the campus when it opened in fall 1963. Although not a Missouri State University graduate, Glyn taught on the West Plains campus for several years and served on the Development Board from 1991 to 1997.
Joe Spears was one of the first individuals in the community who provided “scholarships” for several of those early students by personally covering the tuition of those who couldn’t afford the cost of attending college. His financial support in those early years ensured these students achieved their educational goals.
In 1997, following funding approval by the Missouri General Assembly to construct the Lybyer Technology Center, Spears established the Spears Technology Loan Fund with a donation matched by West Plains Bank & Trust Company to help students needing money to attend and complete their education. The loan program was set up so students would invest in their educational process, as well as the next recipient behind them. If students did not repay their loans, he wanted them to reflect upon the consequences of their actions for the next student, with the hope of sparking philanthropy in the ones he helped, university officials said.
Spears continues his support of the university through contributions to the Annual Fund, which assists students in need and promotes educational opportunities not funded within the normal parameters of the university. As a result of his many contributions, he has been recognized by the Missouri State University Foundation as a Founder’s Club member since 2006.
In addition to owning and operating several businesses in West Plains and partnering with others in real estate development, Spears served as chairman of the board of directors for the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) of West Plains and the Downtown Development Group. During his tenure with the IDC, several road improvements were made to provide easier access to industrial areas, and help was provided to the West Plains R-7 School District’s vocational education program to train workers for industrial needs. While with the Downtown Development Group, six new parking lots were created in the downtown business district to alleviate congestion that was stifling business growth, projects were developed to beautify the downtown area, and financial assistance was provided to businesses to improve their storefronts and to the university to help in the acquisition of property.
Spears also served on the board of directors for the West Plains Housing Authority and worked toward providing new housing in blighted areas, a new right-of-way for the Missouri Department of Transportation’s Business 63 project through the city, and new high-rise housing for the elderly. As a member of the South Central Ozarks Development Corporation, he worked toward locating and developing property for an airport that could handle commercial jet traffic for a seven-county area. The result was the relocation of the West Plains Municipal Airport to the Ozarks Development Corporation Industrial Park in Pomona.
Spears has served the community in other capacities, as well. He was a charter member and the first secretary-treasurer of the West Plains Lions Club, chairman of the West Plains Planning Commission, a four-year volunteer for local American Red Cross blood drives, a three-year member of the Heart of the Ozarks United Way fundraising committee, and a Little League team manager for six years. He has been named an honorary Lifetime Member of the Greater West Plains Area Chamber of Commerce, and he received the West Plains Rotary Club’s Community Service Award in 2013.