The “mission” of a group has to do with its continuing a vowed purpose. The mission need not change until there is a change in this propelling intent. A vision implies a time-specific picture anticipated at some point of progress.
Joplin still sees some dismay at having airport visions being trumped by Springfield and Northwest Arkansas.
Do we see Missouri Southern State University maturing into a large university? What is our reality? Have Missouri State University and others already bumped too far ahead for us to have, for instance, a dominant international program?
Dr. William Kumbier described a motivated, working foreign trip. My memory is that he did not detail the university role in its financing. Have some at MSSU allowed confusion of mission and vision to be tainted by self-interest, unreasoned privilege and the beginnings of pie-in-the- sky delusion?
Bill Hawkins
Joplin
