In room 309C of Plaster Hall, James (Stu) Dunlop sits at his desk in his office grading papers, making lesson plans, running his business and reading over the sports page in the newspaper.

Dunlop is in his first year of teaching at Missouri Southern.

Dunlop comes about his interest in sports honestly. He grew up in Springfield, Mo., and went to Parkview High School. A standout athlete in high school, he attended the University of Missouri-Rolla where he played football for four years.

He also ran track three for years and played baseball for one year. Amazingly, being involved with multiple sports and school, he still graduated from the UMR in four years with a bachelor’s degree in engineering management.

“My parents were always real supportive of everything I did,” Dunlop said. “They encouraged me to play as many sports as I wanted, but made sure I knew that school came first.”

After graduating from UMR, Dunlop furthered his education at Southwest Missouri State University. There, he obtained a master’s of business administration.

Out of college, Dunlop worked in manufacturing for 10 years before realizing that wasn’t what he wanted to do for the rest of his life.

He then spent the next 15 years in sales. Being experienced and having plenty of knowledge of sales and how businesses work, Dunlop opened a consulting business in sales and marketing.

Dunlop is still passionate about sports. He and some friends are season ticket holders to the Springfield Cardinals, a AA affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals.

Dunlop still has his consulting business but “wanted more regularity,” which is something that he received with his position at Southern.

He teaches two sections of marketing, professional selling, promotions and retailing.

“Other than the drive to the college I don’t have to travel as much with this job,” he said.

Dunlop has achieved a lot during his lifetime and credits it to determination.

“Any situation I’ve ever been in I always wanted to do the best I could,” he said.

Dunlop believes there are two things that all college students should have during their college years.

“Students should have fun and enjoy their college years but never forget why they are there,” he said. “Also, students need to have perspective, pay attention to what’s going on around them and balance school and fun.”