Missouri Western  State University named its new Presidential designate on Dec. 17.

Robert A. Vartabedian, Vice President for Academic Affairs at Eastern New Mexico University, was chosen by the Board of Governors. There are 14 challenges and 19 qualifications that  were being searched for by the screening committee and Vartabedian met them all. He will be the fourth president for Missouri Western State University. President James Scanlon will be acting president until June 30.

 Vartabedian is a native Californian who obtained his B.A. in speech communication  at California State University  and his M.A. was from Wichita State University.

Vartabedian received his Ph.D. from the University of Oklahoma.

 Vartabedian has had 22 years experience in administration. He has a PhD in communication and was the final choice of a selection process that almost a year. Steve Estes, Dean of Professional Studies and member of the selection committee, was very pleased with the hunting process.

 “There were 22 people we were looking at in the search” Estes said. “It was a lot of fun. It was the best time I have ever had doing this type of search.”

 Beth Wheeler, vice chair of the screening committee, found the selection process to be more rewarding than simply selecting the best candidate.

 “It is heartening to do something like this. There were a lot of seven o’clock meetings and dinner meetings  and airport meetings and on-site inspections. I was impressed with his energy,” Wheeler said.

 “There is  parallel between his personal values and the values of this university. He has personally exemplified what we were looking for in his personal life.”

 Vartabedian has a vision for what he hopes to accomplish with his time at Western. He places emphasis in five key areas of development. He wishes to insure that Missouri Western provides a quality educational experience for students, to improve faculty, staff and student morale, to expand the classroom through imaginative teaching, to come up with creative and persistent revenue generation and to create a mutually beneficial relationship between the university and the community.

 Vartabedian has found the local area to be within his tastes.

 “So far it has been very enjoyable with very pleasant people and surroundings,” Vartabedian said.

 “It felt very Midwest. I particularly liked the terrain and architecture. The size of St. Joe would also seem to suit our needs well. The proximity to KCI is nice as well. Additionally I have a number of relatives and friends in the area.”