An inaugural ceremony at 2 p.m. today in Taylor Performing Arts Center will confirm Dr. Bruce Speck as University President.

Speakers include: Missouri Commissioner of Higher Education, Dr. Robert Stein; Chairman of the Board of Governors, Dwight Douglas; Joplin Mayor, Gary Shaw and Board member, Richard Walter. The Missouri Southern Wind Ensemble and Chamber Choir, will provide music for the event.

Under Speck’s leadership Southern has instituted a strategic planning committee, a capital campaign, a funding drive to improve athletic facilities and the announcement last month of research into a proposed osteopathic medical program.

This summer Speck announced a projected loss of $2,630, 389 and budget cuts were instituted across campus.

Construction continues on projects established under his predecessor, Dr. Julio Leon. Planning for the Health Science building and Beimdiek Recreation Center was complete before Speck’s arrival, but construction on both projects did not begin until this spring.

Speck comes to Missouri Southern from Austin Peay State University in Clarksville, Tenn. where he served as Provost and Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs.

After Dr. Julio Leon’s resignation in August of 2007, Speck was one of the two candidates for the presidential position who were publicly announced this January. The other candidate, Dr. Joe Wiley, took a position at Freed-Hardeman University in Henderson, Tenn.

Speck arrived at Missouri Southern Jan 16 for a campus tour, and was confirmed by the Board of Governors on Jan. 18. He began his tenure Feb. 4 of this year.

KGCS-TV will record the ceremony for broadcast. It will air at 8 p.m., Sept. 23. A reception will be held in Phinney Hall following the ceremony.