This article first appeared in the St. Louis Beacon, Jan. 26, 2011 - Gov. Jay Nixon nominated David L. Steward, chairman and founder of World Wide Technology, for a six-year term on the University of Missouri Board of Curators.
If the Missouri Senate confirms him, Steward would become the only African-American member of the nine-member board. He would fill the seat from the Second Congressional District, where the term of curator David G. Wasinger expired Jan. 1. Wasinger has continued to serve until his replacement is confirmed.
Since its founding in 1990, World Wide Technology has grown to more than 1,400 employees and more than $3 billion in sales. Last year, it was ranked 201 in the Forbes list of America's largest private companies. In announcing the nomination, Nixon said Steward is "one of this country's leading entrepreneurs and will bring a background of tremendous business experience and success to the Board of Curators."
Nixon followed Tuesday's announcement on Steward with the appointment of two more curators on Wednesday. Donald L. Cupps of Cassville was named to a six-year term from the Seventh Congressional District, and Craig Van Matre of Columbia was named to a two-year term from the Ninth Congressional District.
If confirmed by the Senate, they would become curators at a time of transition for the board. One more seat is left to be filled. The state constitution mandates that the board have nine members, and state law says each member has to represent a different congressional district.
When the number of congressional districts shrinks from nine to eight in 2013, those two requirements will have to be somehow reconciled.
Another issue facing the board is choosing a replacement for Gary Forsee, who resigned as president earlier this month to care for his ailing wife. At that time, board chairman Warren Erdman of Kansas City said a search for a new president would begin immediately.
The curators meet in Columbia later this week to set tuition rates for the coming school year. University officials recommended an average increase of 5.5 percent, with the amounts ranging from 4.7 percent at UMSL to 6.6 percent at the Rolla campus.