From staff reports

news@joplinglobe.com

LAMAR, Mo. — Douglas Davis, publisher and president of Lamar Democrat Inc., has been appointed to the Board of Governors of Missouri Southern State University by Missouri Gov. Matt Blunt.

“This is the greatest honor in my whole life,” Davis said. “I’m honored. I believe in service to the community and giving back, so I want to do the best that I can for the community and the students.”

Davis served as a member of the MSSU Foundation Board for 18 years. He estimates that it was that service that got him tabbed to succeed board member Jane Wyman, of Joplin, whose term recently expired.

“This came out of nowhere,” Davis said. “I supposed they liked what I did for the foundation, but I have no idea who nominated me.”

Davis said he would like to work for greater rapport with the community and work to provide more of a college-town atmosphere.

Davis received a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the University of North Alabama in Florence, Ala. He received an associate’s degree from Northwest Alabama State Junior College in Phil Campbell, Ala. He also has accumulated about 30 hours of study at MSSU in accounting, economics and mathematics in anticipation of future work toward a master’s degree in business.

Davis has led the Lamar Democrat and its publications since 1985. Before that, he served as a “trouble shooter” for the Boone Newspaper Group of Tuscaloosa, Ala., working for a number of publications since 1977.

He served 10 years as a Ward 1 Alderman for the city of Lamar, eight of those as chairman of the budget committee.

He also is a past member of the Joplin Regional Airport Board, member of the Missouri Press Association, member and past president of the Ozark Press Association, and member and past president of the Barton County Chamber of Commerce.

His appointment is subject to confirmation by the Missouri Legislature.

Assistant Features Editor Joe Hadsall contributed to this report.