WEST PLAINS, Mo. – Officials at Missouri State University-West Plains today are mourning the passing of former chancellor Fred Marty.
Marty, who served as chancellor from 1998 to 2001, passed away Wednesday in Springfield at the age of 71 following a year-long battle with cancer, according to officials with the City of Springfield, where he had worked until his retirement earlier this month.
Current Chancellor Drew Bennett said the campus would not be what it is today without the vision and drive of its former chancellor. “Many of the accomplishments we have celebrated during our 50th anniversary were initiated or made possible through the hard and detailed work of Gen. Fred Marty,” Bennett said. “He was a supporter of our campus even after he left West Plains and a source of sound advice for me personally.”
A graduate of Missouri State in Springfield, Marty joined the university in 1993 as vice president of administrative services after a distinguished military career in the U.S. Army that saw him rise to the rank of major general. He became chancellor of Missouri State-West Plains in July 1998 following the retirement of Dr. M.O. Looney.
During his tenure, Missouri State-West Plains’ enrollment increased 18 percent, growing from 1,369 students in fall 1998 to over 1,600 students in fall 2001. The campus also opened the $4.3 million Lybyer Technology Center, which provided students with state-of-the-art technology and a 54-station open computer lab, and, with the help of generous supporters, added the Richards House and the Gohn-Wood family home to the campus’ list of facilities. The Richards House now serves as the permanent home of the campus’ chancellor, and the Gohn-Wood home recently was transformed into Gohn Hall, which opened earlier this year and now houses Missouri State’s Outreach programs.
Other accomplishments that occurred during Marty’s tenure include:
• the establishment of the University/Community Programs Department, which provides business development services through the Small Business and Technology Development Center, educational and cultural theater and events programming, and wellness opportunities through the pool and fitness center at the West Plains Civic Center;
• development of a Master Plan Visioning Guide to direct the campus’ growth for the first quarter of the 21st century;
• implementation of five new associate degrees at the West Plains campus and the offering of the campus’ first online courses;
• establishment of the Missouri State Outreach program to provide bachelor’s and master’s degree opportunities to area residents;
• expansion of the campus’ educational role in south-central Missouri through the offering of the Associate of Arts in General Studies degree at the Mountain Grove Extended Campus;
• and establishment of Missouri State-West Plains’ campus at Liaoning Teachers University in Dalian, China, to provide educational and cultural exchange opportunities to students at both universities.
Marty also left an indelible mark on many of his colleagues at Missouri State-West Plains. “I have a lot of fond memories about Gen. Marty, especially as he brought me into the assistant to the chancellor position here at Missouri State-West Plains in a more profound way,” said Interim Dean of Academic Affairs Dennis Lancaster. “He was always a gentleman, I knew exactly what he wanted, and I could count on him to help me turn out a quality result, no matter the project. If it were proper to salute your superiors in the world of higher education, I would be standing and saluting Fred Marty right now.”
“Even those who didn’t know Fred Marty wouldn’t need too many guesses to figure out his background,” added Dr. Herb Lunday, dean of student services. “Everything about him was spit polish and by the numbers. His work ethic was legendary. His command presence was inspiring. His laser precision was spot on, whatever the task. His personal discipline set him apart from many. His integrity, fairness and administrative wisdom rounded out the measure of a truly outstanding public servant.”
Marty showed his support for the campus on a more personal level. He was a member of the Grizzly Booster Club for three years, he donated furnishings and other items to the Richards House, he donated funds toward scholarships that honored others, and he participated in the annual auction and Friends of the Garnett Library. Last year, he helped establish and was a contributor to the Chancellors’ Grizzly Basketball Scholarship, which is expected to be fully endowed by 2016.
Marty left Missouri State-West Plains to become executive director of the Wonders of Wildlife Museum in Springfield. In 2003, he returned to Missouri State University in Springfield as associate vice president for administrative services, and after a brief time away from Missouri, he returned in 2010 to became part of the leadership team at the City of Springfield.
Marty is survived by his wife of 50 years, Marty; two sons, Patrick and Michael; and five grandchildren.
A celebration of life service for Marty is planned for 4 p.m. Friday, Nov. 22, at Mercy Hammons Heart Institute, 1235 E. Cherokee, in Springfield. In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests contributions to be directed to the MSU Foundation – Army ROTC Building Fund, 300 S. Jefferson, Springfield, MO 65806.