northwestnews
Dr. John Jasinski named Northwest president
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uly 1 marked a new era in Northwest’s 104year history as Dr. John Jasinski became the institution’s 10th president. Jasinski, previously the executive vice president and chief academic and operating officer of Northwood University in Midland, Mich., succeeded Dr. Dean L. Hubbard, who retired at the end of June after 25 years as Northwest’s top administrator. Jasinski, along with his wife, Denise, and four children, Matt, Joe, Leah and Lucas, were introduced to the campus community on May 22 by Board of Regents President James W. “Bill” Loch. Loch thanked his fellow board members and the 13-member Presidential Search Committee for their efforts in helping choose Northwest’s president. “The new president will be confronted with difficult decisions in the near future relegated to him by a changed economic environment,” Loch said. “We welcome our new president and ask all to support him during the transition.” Jasinski and his family were welcomed by an enthusiastic crowd of well-wishers after arriving at the Administration Building July 2 for his first official day on the Northwest campus. The entryway leading into the Administration Building was decorated with a green carpet and a large banner reading, “Welcome Dr. Jasinski.” “It’s a great day to be a Bearcat, and we are ready to get after it,” Jasinski said to the group of faculty, staff and Horace Mann students. “There are great things here at Northwest … and we are very, very excited.” He added that, as president, he was eager to hear from members of the University community and listen to their ideas. “It’s important that we hear from you,” Jasinski said. “You know that we’ve got a long
tradition of greatness and of excellence at Northwest, and that will continue.” A Northwest faculty member and administrator from 1986 to 2001, Jasinski chaired the University’s Department of Mass Communication from 1992 to 1998 and also served as associate provost. Administratively, he played a significant role in the development of the University’s Culture of Quality. Along with Hubbard, Jasinski co-chaired a senior-level panel charged with implementing institutional improvement initiatives in all areas of University operations. A former Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award examiner, Jasinski also served as an education specialist for the National Institute of Standards and Technology during a one-year sabbatical. At Northwood, Jasinski oversaw academic and operational functions at the university’s three campuses and guided the institution’s senior administrators in such areas as advancement, finance, graduate and specialty programs, marketing and enrollment. He also provided leadership on issues related to student and faculty needs and budgeting. Jasinski, a veteran runner who has completed 10 marathons, also played an active role in civic affairs, serving on the Maryville City Council from 2001 to 2007 and as a St. Francis Hospital and Health Services board member from 1997 to 1999. Jasinski earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in communication, with undergraduate concentrations in broadcasting and cinematic arts, from Central Michigan University. He holds a Ph.D. in educational leadership and higher education administration from the University of NebraskaLincoln. n
(Above) Northwest’s First Family includes (from left) Matt, Leah, John, Denise, Lucas and Joe Jasinski. Students, faculty, staff, alumni as well as the media are interested in Dr. John Jasinski’s vision for Northwest. (Left) On his first day in the office, the new president listens intently to members of the Northwest Leadership Team. Dr. Jasinski will be featured on the cover of the next issue of the Northwest Alumni Magazine. Northwest alumni and friends are welcome to contact him at president@ nwmissouri.edu.
NORTHWEST ALUMNI MAGAZINE
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