Scott gets started at Pitt State

For video of Dr. Steve Scott's welcome as president, visit http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SeqzDnkqiBo.

 
Technically, it wasn’t Dr. Steve Scott’s first day on the job. That was Wednesday, when he was busy in Kansas City at a meeting of the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association university chiefs.
But Thursday was the ceremonial “first day” for Scott, as he was greeted at the door by a crowd of supporters to welcome him as the new Pittsburg State president.
Scott greeted the 200 or so members of the crowd with a few words before beginning a day full of festivities, meetings and planning.
“In the summer of 1970, I walked through the doors as a math education student from Baxter Springs,” Scott said. “Thirty-nine years later, I’m walking up the marble stairs and going to work.”
Leaders from across the area came to Pittsburg State to welcome Scott as president. Among those leaders included leaders in business, education and politics to grant Scott support.
“I think his selection continues the success at Pittsburg State,” said Pittsburg City Commissioner Marty Beezley. “The city is anxious to work with him. It’s full speed ahead. It should not be a difficult transition.”
Scott mentioned that his predecessor, Dr. Tom Bryant, had left Tuesday on his last day with a handshake and “best wishes not just for me, but for the whole institution.”
Scott started the day with a short reception followed by a summit with community leaders to address building relationships and getting started on the right foot. Later in the day, Scott is scheduled to have a luncheon with PSU donors and then a student session. Mixed in with that, Scott received news of further cuts from the state to higher education, and by extension, Pittsburg State (see related story in tomorrow’s Morning Sun).
During the summit with community leaders, Scott asked the leaders what they would do if they were in his shoes.
Some offered suggestions.
“Greenbush and the other schools in southeast Kansas are the steam that drives the engine, so to speak,” said Mike Bodensteiner, who took over as director of Greenbush on Wednesday. “We need to do a better job of harnessing the resources we have got. We have the bioscience labs here and we need to take those and channel them for economic development and K-12.”
Other leaders offered their support and thanks for Pittsburg State’s involvement in local efforts.
“Often, we in southeast Kansas feel overlooked by the Legislature,” said Crawford County Commissioner Linda Grilz. “We have never been overlooked by Pittsburg State. The relationship between us and the relationship with the community is a real strength.”
Though the crowds greeted Scott as he pulled into the first parking spot near Russ Hall Thursday morning, don’t expect that to last for long. He’s giving up the presidential parking space.
“I’m throwing myself in with everybody else,” Scott said. “For 21 years I’ve looked for a parking space. I am one of you, and I want to show that. Here in about three minutes, I’ll probably ask ‘Why did I do that?’”
Scott told the community leaders about his focus on information technology, economic development, the Kansas Technology Center, keeping tuition affordable, and campus marketing.
“The most important thing is we have to perpetuate the great culture that we have,” Scott said. “It’s about putting students first. We can’t take that for granted. We have to do that day after day after day.”

Andrew Nash can be reached at andrew.nash@morningsun.net or by calling 231-2600 ext. 132.