REFLECTIONS:
By Robin Luke

We often wonder if people really look at the Marketing Newsletter. Well, now I can say with authority that you do!Last month’s photo of me with my wife, Mary’s, chickens leaves no doubt that many saw it and felt compelled to comment on the photo of “Farmer Luke.” Nuff said!

With the Fall comes the turning of leaves, a smoky haze, crispness in the air that makes you feel energized and at the same time relaxed…and football. And football means Homecoming Weekend. The 11^th annual Missouri State COBA Homecoming Picnic is just around the corner (October 29^th).

Plan to attend this annual pilgrimage to all things MSU! Be sure to visit the COBA Homecoming tent in Bear Fest Village before the game at 1:30 pm. We’ll have complimentary hot dogs and beverages and an assortment of your ol’ time faculty and friends. And don’t forget the traditional “Great Sport Ball Giveaway," where we draw names of lucky recipients who receive balls and other sports memorabilia from the various Missouri State teams. You must register and be present to win. The drawing takes place at 12:30 pm.

People often ask me if the name change will make a difference. Clearly it has and it will make a difference even more with the passing years. But let me give you an example of how it has already assisted my responsibilities as Department Head. Last year, as SMSU, we had the pleasure of hiring two faculty members. We had approximately 25 applications for each position. About three or four individuals had the quality we were looking for, and fortunately we hired our two first choices.

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This year we are hiring one more faculty member as Missouri State University. We have had more than sixty-five applications from individuals at some of the best universities in the United States. We interviewed twenty-five of them at the annual American Marketing Association meeting in San Francisco, and realized that we would be willing to hire twenty of them! 

The committee struggled with the number of excellent candidates and has come down to a final choice. I hope to introduce you to our latest faculty member with the next Newsletter. As we have learned in the practice of Marketing, perception is everything. How someone feels about something is how it is…for them.  

The name, Missouri State University, has an image that far surpasses that of a bi-laterally named regional university. The Missouri State name will bring very good and successful faculty from well-known universities calling when future openings are available. We have always been fortunate to bring in excellent people to our department, but they had to have a good reason to be here. Either they had family in the area, or were here in high school, etc. Now they want to join the faculty because we are Missouri State University.

In the words of Bob Dylan…”the times, they are a-changing.”

Dr. Robin Luke
Professor and Department Head
Missouri State University
Department of Marketing
901 South National Avenue
Springfield, MO 65897
 

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