SIKESTON - The 21st president of the University of Missouri system will make his first visit to the Bootheel Friday.
Dr. Elson S. Floyd, who assumed duties as president of the University of Missouri System Jan. 6, will be the guest at a reception scheduled from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Friday at the Clinton Building in the Sikeston Sports Complex. The reception is hosted by the University of Missouri Alliances of Alumni Association and Outreach and Extension
"This reception is designed to introduce the new university president to Southeast Missouri and he very much wants to come to Sikeston to meet area residents," said Bob Patterson, who is helping organize the event.
The first African-American president of the University of Missouri system, Floyd previously served as president of Western Michigan University. In selecting Floyd to his post, Missouri officials noted he was successful in fund-raising efforts at Western Michigan and in increasing Western Michigan's status as a research institute.
As president, Floyd oversees the UM system's four campuses located in Columbia, Kansas City, Rolla and St. Louis. Also he is responsible for the statewide services University Outreach and Extension. Floyd reports directly to the nine member Board of Curators, which is appointed by the governor.
Floyd holds a doctorate in higher and adult education from the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill. He served as that university's executive vice chancellor before assuming Western Michigan's presidency in 1998.
A Henderson, N.C., native, Floyd holds a bachelor of arts degree in political science and speech and a master of education degree in adult education as well as a doctor of philosophy degree.
Floyd and his wife, Carmento, have two children, Kenny, 19, and Jessica, 17.
While the reception is open to the public, reservations are requested. Those wishing to attend should contact Patterson at 471-5012 prior to 5 p.m. Thursday.