Northwest Missouri State University President Lance Tatum begins his fourth academic year with a new communications plan.
The plan included his first e-mail to the university community a month after delivering remarks at the August all-employee meeting.
Dr. Tatum visits with KXCV-KRNW's News Director Bill Oliver, who is also a Northwest Missouri State graduate, about the communications plan.
Here is the text of Dr. Tatum's e-mail that was sent September 11, 2026:
Sept. 11, 2026
Greetings, Bearcats,
As we settle into another academic year, I have found myself thinking about something I shared during our All-Employee Meeting in August: Northwest is defined by its people.
Over the past several weeks, I have seen countless examples of what that means.
On the first night of classes, faculty and staff from across campus came together for the President’s Back-to-School Ice Cream Social. Together, we served ice cream to more than 1,200 students. While the ice cream may have been what brought students through the line, what mattered most were the conversations, smiles and the sense of home our employees created.
To everyone who scooped ice cream, greeted students, helped set up and clean up, or simply took a few minutes to welcome a student back to Northwest – thank you. Those seemingly small interactions matter. They are part of what makes Northwest feel like home.
That spirit of service and excellence is evident across our campus.
Recently, we celebrated Dr. Alex Taylor, assistant professor in the School of Agricultural Sciences, who was selected as Northwest’s 2027 Governor’s Award for Excellence in Education recipient. Alex was among 12 faculty members recognized with Faculty Excellence Awards for their outstanding contributions in teaching, scholarship and service.
We also recognized Paula McLain and our Office of the Registrar staff with Academic Impact Awards. Paula helped our campus navigate significant changes involving student employment and Workday while continuing to support colleagues wherever she was needed. Likewise, our Registrar team continues to quietly and consistently do the important work that keeps Northwest moving forward while putting students first.
These are only a few examples. Every day, Northwest employees are teaching and mentoring students, maintaining our campus, answering questions, solving problems, preparing meals, supporting one another and finding ways to make the student experience better. Much of that work happens without an award, headline or public recognition.
But it matters.
As president, one of the greatest privileges I have is seeing the extraordinary work taking place throughout this University. I hope we continue to celebrate those successes and, just as importantly, take time to recognize one another.
When you see a colleague doing something great, tell them. When someone goes the extra mile for a student, recognize it. When a team accomplishes something worth celebrating, share the story.
Our students experience Northwest through each of us, and the way we show up for them – and for one another – is what makes this University special.
Thank you for the energy you have brought to the beginning of this academic year and for everything you do for Northwest.
I continue to be grateful to serve alongside you.
Go Bearcats!
