Missouri Western State University has a new president.
Moving to St. Joseph is the president of North Central Missouri College, where Dr. Lenny Klaver just started his 11th year in that position.
Prior to that, Klaver was a vice president at Finlandia University in Michigan and a vice chancellor at the University of Wisconsin in Parkside.
Klaver, who will be Missouri Western's seventh president, succeeds Elizabeth Kennedy, who retired earlier this year.
News release from Missouri Western State University:
The Missouri Western State University Board of Governors has announced that Dr. Lenny Klaver will serve as the University’s seventh president. Dr. Klaver will be introduced to the campus and the community during a formal announcement and press conference at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 26. The public is invited.
“Dr. Lenny Klaver is an outstanding higher education leader who is very familiar with MoWest and our region, and we’re thrilled to welcome him to the Griffon family,” said Bill Grimwood, chair of the Board of Governors as well as the presidential search committee. “We are confident that under his leadership MoWest will rise to new heights of excellence.”
“I’m humbled and honored that the Board of Governors has placed their confidence in me,” Dr. Klaver said. “I believe there’s a great deal of potential in Missouri Western State University, and I look forward to working with the Board, faculty, staff, students, alumni and the community to realize that potential.”
Dr. Klaver has served as president of North Central Missouri College since May 2016. He has led the development of three consecutive comprehensive strategic plans. Under Dr. Klaver’s leadership, NCMC has expanded its academic and athletic programs and increased community engagement. The college opened a state-of-the-art satellite campus in Savannah, Missouri, in August 2023 and a new student center on the Trenton campus in January 2026. Cumulative enrollment has increased 24% in the past five years, and NCMC graduated its four largest classes in history during his tenure. Under his leadership and expertise, NCMC recently completed a successful capital campaign exceeding the original goal as set forth in the feasibility study.
Dr. Klaver previously served as vice president for institutional advancement and enrollment management at Finlandia University in Michigan and as vice chancellor for university relations & advancement and faculty/administration at the University of Wisconsin-Parkside. He started his higher education career as a tenured faculty member, associate athletic director, baseball coach and basketball coach at Wayne State College in Nebraska.
Dr. Klaver earned a Doctorate in Education from the University of Northern Colorado, Master of Science in Education and Bachelor of Arts in Education degrees from Wayne State and an associate’s degree from Iowa Central Community College. He and his wife Pamela have five adult children and four grandchildren.
Dr. Klaver succeeds Dr. Elizabeth Kennedy, who retired earlier this year.
