‘HE KNEW THE TRUE VALUE OF EDUCATION’ Display honors education building’s namesake A new display case in Taylor Hall celebrates the building’s namesake and pays tribute to the late congressman’s impact on higher education. The display includes photos and personal mementos that were provided to Missouri Southern by the family of Gene Taylor. Born in 1928 in Sarcoxie, he taught for three years at a country school in Jasper County. He was one of the original members of the Jasper County Junior College Board of Trustees, which was instrumental in establishing Missouri Southern State College. He began his political career in 1954 as the mayor of Sarcoxie, and later became chairman of the Jasper County Republican Committee. In 1972, he was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, where he served six terms. He passed away in 1998. The education building, which was opened in 1977, was named in his honor. In creating the display, MSSU’s Community Historian Brad Belk said it was important to memorialize the accomplishments of one of the university’s founding fathers.
“Gene left an indelible mark in higher education,” said Belk. “He knew the true value of education and the employment opportunities that would follow.
“We are thankful to his daughter Linda Cobine, a 1973 graduate of Missouri Southern, for the donation of the artifacts and for starting the Congressman Gene Taylor Scholarship.”
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