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 Jay Padgett with the prestigious Granvil Vaughan Founder’s Award during Saturday’s 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 Padgett 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. Padgett is the 19th person to receive the award.

“Jay Padgett’s involvement with Missouri State-West Plains began during the campus’ early years and continues to this day,” Bennett said. “He has contributed to our campus financially and in deed, representing the community effort that made Missouri State-West Plains possible. His service to the campus and the community exemplifies the university’s public affairs mission and serves as an example for everyone.”

BOARD OF REGENTS

Since his earliest documented involvement with Missouri State-West Plains in 1973, Padgett has supported the campus through a variety of roles. In 1983, he was appointed by then Missouri Gov. Christopher “Kit” Bond to serve a six-year term on Missouri State University’s Board of Governors, then known as the Board of Regents. He was the board’s president during the last two years of his appointment.

During his tenure on the board of regents, Padgett also served on the West Plains campus’ advisory council as the area’s board representative. In addition, he was a charter member of the campus’ Development Board when it was formed in 1991. He continued to serve on the board until 2007 and was it’s president from 1992 to 1998.

In 2001, Padgett was selected as a representative of the Missouri State University Foundation and served as a member of its board of directors 2007. In addition, he and his wife, Melinda, have been members of the foundation’s Founders Club since September 1998. The Founders Club recognizes those significant donors whose financial support provides and encourages many aspects of higher education for Missouri State University.

CAMPUS SUPPORTER

Padgett also was a founding member and continues to be a member of Missouri State-West Plains’ Grizzly Booster Club, and he was a member of the campus’ Advisory Council for Technology Education in 1997, assisting in the creation and development of the Michael J. Lybyer Technology Center.

In addition to his service in an “official” capacity on several university boards and councils, Padgett also participated in a community basketball fundraiser for the West Plains campus in 1973, was a speaker at the Central Hall (now Looney Hall) groundbreaking in 1986 and its dedication in 1987, presided over the campus’ 25th anniversary celebration in 1988, participated in the grand opening and ribbon cutting for the Putnam Student Center in 1989, and served as commencement speaker in 1992 and as emcee of the M.O. Looney Night fundraiser and roast event committee in 1997.

Padgett was one of the many attendees of the 50th anniversary celebration concert/reunion in 2013, and he contributed as recently as 2016 as a sponsor of the Grizzly Athletics Trivia Night through his Edward Jones office. It’s still common to see him at many university events today.

A graduate of Westminster College in Fulton and a former captain in the U.S. Army, Padgett was president of West Plains Hardware Company, Inc., for many years and is currently a financial advisor with Edward D. Jones and Company. He has been an active community leaders, serving as chair of the West Plains Land Clearance for Redevelopment Board, the Greater West Plains Area Chamber of Commerce and the West Plains Economic Development Board. He also served as president of the West Plains Rotary Club and as a member of the Ozarks Medical Center Board of Directors.

Padgett and his wife, Melinda, have three daughters, Laura Padgett, Amy Thomas and Julia Maupin, and seven grandchildren.