The Griffon News

Former professor John Gilgun had a saying: “Quality calls to quality.” It’s an inspirational line – one that comes to mind with the news that Registrar Eugene Eulinger is retiring.

A recipient of the 2006 Outstanding Administrator Award and 42 years in education, five of those as Western’s registrar, Eulinger is retiring. Before working at Western, Eulinger was previously the registrar at Linn State Technical College and proved to be instrumental in directing Western’s SCT Banner administrative hardware.

For those not in the know, the registrar’s office holds and maintains all student academic records. The division also issues academic transcripts, verifies student enrollments and confirms athletic eligibility. In addition to overseeing these responsibilities, Eulinger also works with all the other colleges and universities in the state.

“Western ranks with the best,” said Eulinger of Western’s academia. From his position in dealing with other institutions, he has found that, “Students need to be aware that Missouri Western has university status now, and they should be proud to be attending.”
Eulinger’s goals were always clear to him. He said that he never wanted any other job.

“I always wanted to teach, and that was my goal when I went to college,” he said.

This determination and percipient view has aided him immensely through his career. Initially a classroom teacher, Eulinger’s work found him working with registrar guidelines throughout the state.

Eulinger said he has always lived in or around Northwest Missouri, so coming to Western offered a quality place to come that was situated locally. Now, on the verge of retirement, Eulinger’s next career will be a more intimate profession.

“I’m going to spend more time with my family,” Eulinger said. Along with this, he plans on working with the caretaking of his farm and using his new opportunities to tend to personal matters.

As Eulinger transitions from his administrative position, the university looks back with esteem.

“He’ll be missed; we hate to see him go,” said Debbie Hargis, a receptionist at the Registrar’s office. Her sentiments seem to echo all of Western’s.

Quality calls to quality, and that is something Eulinger excels at.