New curators view budget as 'biggest obstacle'
The new curators said they would visit UM campuses to learn more about their operations.
Published July 16, 2009
Gov. Jay Nixon appointed two new members to the UM system Board of Curators on July 7. David Bradley, of St. Joseph, and Wayne Goode, of St. Louis, will begin serving on the board, which oversees all university system operations, immediately. Both will need to receive Senate confirmation when the state Senate reconvenes in January.
"These are two Missourians who have demonstrated their leadership skills for several decades," Nixon said in a news release. "I am very pleased to appoint David Bradley and Wayne Goode to positions where they will help set the course for the state's flagship university system as it prepares Missouri students to compete and excel in the global economy."
These appointments fill two spots that have been occupied by curators Cheryl Walker and Don Walsworth seven months past their terms’ expiration dates in January. Both Goode and Bradley would serve a term ending Jan. 1, 2015, if they receive the Senate’s approval.
Wayne Goode
Goode, 71, is a Democrat and former lawmaker with years of legislative experience. Goode represented part of north St. Louis County in the Missouri General Assembly from 1963 to 1985. During his first term, he sponsored legislation that established the UM-St. Louis. A statue was erected on the UMSL campus in 2006 in his honor.
Goode also served as state senator from 1985 to 2005. He was chairman of the Senate Appropriations and House Education committees.
Goode, his wife and two sons are all graduates of MU.
“I think that overall I have a pretty good background and am familiar with the university system,” Goode said. “However, I would also say that I still have quite a lot to learn.”
Although Goode said he is entering the board without any particular agenda, he thinks the state of the budget will be the biggest obstacle and the most important issue to the university in the coming year.
“Historically, we have had tight budgets in both good and bad times on the state and university levels,” he said. "Missouri is actually not in as bad of shape as many other states, such as Illinois or California. I think looking at the country as a whole, we’re going to be in a downturn for at least another year. It’s definitely going to be a tight budget year.”
Goode said he’s also a firm believer in the existence of a transparent governing body.
“I think the Board of Curators should operate in a fair and open manner, and I think they have done that well in the past,” Goode said. “As a curator, I will act in that same open and fair manner in dealing with the public.”
Goode spends a lot of time at the UMSL campus working out at the gym and attending campus functions. He said he hopes to learn more about the university system as a whole.
“I look forward to being on the campuses and getting better acquainted with the facilities, students and campus matters,” Goode said.
David Bradley
Bradley, 59, is the Republican appointee to the board. Bradley is president of the News-Press and Gazette Co., which publishes the St. Joseph News-Press. He also served as president of the Missouri Press Association and the Northwest Press Association.
He is a former chairman of the St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce and past president of the Albrecht-Kemper Museum of Art. He‘s also served on the UMB Financial Corp. board of directors since 1985.
Bradley, who is not a graduate of the UM system, said he was a bit surprised upon hearing about his appointment and he’s unsure what made himself stand out to Nixon.
“I don’t know why he picked me. I guess you’d have to ask him,” Bradley said, laughing. "I did not lobby or campaign for this position. The governor simply called me up one day and asked me if I would serve on the board. I was flattered. I think this will be a challenging time to serve, especially with the budget obstacles we are seeing on both the state and university levels.”
Bradley said his newspaper experience will serve him well as a board member.
“I think in the newspaper business, one learns how to deal with all sorts of people and get an accurate reflection of how things operate,” Bradley said. “Though I haven’t been heavily involved with the university in the past, I have an idea of the things that are important, such as making sure the university system remains a cutting-edge research institution, as well as an affordable university.”
Bradley is a graduate of Syracuse University with bachelor’s degrees in journalism and political science. His son attends MU.
"I go into the position with a parent’s perspective," he said. “I really want to become more familiar with all parts of the university system. I’m coming in with an open mind and do not have a particular agenda in mind."
Bradley said he would try to be as involved as possible on campuses.
“As a board member, I’ll be visiting the campuses as often as I can,” Bradley said. “I look forward to becoming more familiar with the various campus functions and doing the best job I can.”