Robert P. Foster
Encyclopedia
Robert Porter Foster was president of Northwest Missouri State University
from 1964 to 1977.
During his tenure Northwest's enrollment increased from 500 to 6,500.
and earned a BA from Central Missouri State University in 1939. He was a high school teacher, coach and principal in Carrollton, Missouri
High School from 1939 to 1942.
While working on a masters from the University of Missouri
, he left to become a lieutenant commander in the U.S. Navy during World War II
. After the war he would state state commander of the Missouri American Legion
.
In 1943 he married Virginia Mutz Foster of Maryville, Missouri
.
He served as dean of administration from 1959 until 1964.
. His approach ws to massively grow the school. Building built under his watch included:
The school changed from a four year school to having a master program resulting in its name change from Northwest Missouri State College to Northwest Missouri State University.
for his work in the Boy Scouts
.
In 1981 the Robert P. Foster Aquatic Center was named for him.
Northwest Missouri State University
Northwest Missouri State University is a state university in Maryville, Missouri. Founded in 1905 as a teachers college, it offers both undergraduate and graduate programs. The campus, based on the design for Forest Park at the 1904 St. Louis World's Fair, is the official Missouri State Arboretum....
from 1964 to 1977.
During his tenure Northwest's enrollment increased from 500 to 6,500.
Early life
Foster was born in Warrensburg, MissouriWarrensburg, Missouri
Warrensburg is a city in Johnson County, Missouri, United States. The population was 16,340 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Johnson County. The Warrensburg Micropolitan Statistical Area consists of Johnson County. It is home to the University of Central Missouri.-History:Warrensburg...
and earned a BA from Central Missouri State University in 1939. He was a high school teacher, coach and principal in Carrollton, Missouri
Carrollton, Missouri
Carrollton is a city in Carroll County, Missouri, United States. Carrollton won the 2005 All-America City Award given out annually by the National Civic League. The population was 4,122 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Carroll County. It has several restaurants including JB's...
High School from 1939 to 1942.
While working on a masters from the University of Missouri
University of Missouri
The University of Missouri System is a state university system providing centralized administration for four universities, a health care system, an extension program, five research and technology parks, and a publishing press. More than 64,000 students are currently enrolled at its four campuses...
, he left to become a lieutenant commander in the U.S. Navy during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. After the war he would state state commander of the Missouri American Legion
American Legion
The American Legion is a mutual-aid organization of veterans of the United States armed forces chartered by the United States Congress. It was founded to benefit those veterans who served during a wartime period as defined by Congress...
.
In 1943 he married Virginia Mutz Foster of Maryville, Missouri
Maryville, Missouri
Maryville is a city in Nodaway County, Missouri, United States. The population was 10,581 at the 2000 census. The town, organized on February 14, 1845, was named for Mrs. Mary Graham, wife of Amos Graham, then the county clerk. Mary was the first Caucasian woman to have lived within the boundaries...
.
Northwest
After the war they moved to Maryville where he purchased E.L Townsend Grocery Co. which he operated until 1948 when he became registrar and later director of admissions at Northwest. He finished his masters in 1951 and a Phd from the University of Missouri in 1960.He served as dean of administration from 1959 until 1964.
Northwest president
He was the first president to deal with increased competition from Missouri Western State UniversityMissouri Western State University
Missouri Western State University is a public, co-educational university located in Saint Joseph, Missouri. The school enrolls 6,010 undergraduate students and 124 graduate students.-History:...
. His approach ws to massively grow the school. Building built under his watch included:
- Garrett-Strong Science Building
- Olive DeLuce Fine Arts Building;
- Four high-rise residence halls
- Donald Valk Building
- Expansion of the J.W. Jones Student Union
- Colden Hall renovations
- Martindale Hall renovations
- Administration Building renovations
- Memorial Bell Tower - the first building funded by the Northwest Foundation
- KXCVKXCVKXCV is a radio station broadcasting a News Talk Information format. Licensed to Maryville, Missouri, USA. The station is currently owned by Northwest Missouri State Univ. and features programing from American Public Media and National Public Radio...
The school changed from a four year school to having a master program resulting in its name change from Northwest Missouri State College to Northwest Missouri State University.
Post presidency
Foster remained active in Maryville after leaving the presidency receiving a Silver Antelope AwardSilver Antelope Award
The Silver Antelope Award is the regional-level distinguished service award of the Boy Scouts of America and recognizes outstanding service to young people within one of the four regions of the BSA...
for his work in the Boy Scouts
Boy Scouts of America
The Boy Scouts of America is one of the largest youth organizations in the United States, with over 4.5 million youth members in its age-related divisions...
.
In 1981 the Robert P. Foster Aquatic Center was named for him.