Former MWSU President Dr. James Scanlon Passes Away

On Monday, March 13, former Missouri Western President Dr. James J. Scanlon passed away. At 79 years old, Scanlon ended his battle with pancreatic cancer at Stanford Medical Center in Stanford, CA.

Scanlon served as Missouri Western president from the years 2001–2008. During his time, he helped Missouri Western gain a university designation. He also acquired $10 million in private donations. These were allocated around the campus and to better the quality of education offered.

During his 40-year career, Scanlon served at Missouri Western as his fifth university. Other universities he served at include University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Southeast Missouri State University, Clarion University and Youngstown State University. What was once known as the ‘Living Learning Center’ was renamed to ‘Scanlon Hall’ in his honor. Scanlon Hall is the co-ed building that houses all first-year students. It is also home to three Max communities and the freshman honors students.

Once he retired, Scanlon and his wife created the Blake K. Scanlon Applied Learning Scholarship for Missouri Western students to honor their son. The scholarship can be used to help fund travel expenses for Applied Learning activities.

“Dr. Scanlon, or as he always preferred to be called, ‘Jim,’ he was hired as president during my term. For 18 years we had the same president, Dr. Janet Murphy, and she made things look effortless,” Councilman Taylor Crouse told News-Press Now. “I mean, she built bridges with legislators and with the local business community and other leaders, so it was a daunting task to try and replace her.”

Scanlon is survived by Blake K. Scanlon; daughter-in-law, Ellen R. Scanlon; grandson, William L. Scanlon of Los Gatos, CA; his sister, Patricia Steimer; his brother, Robert Scanlon (Irene); and his mother, Margaret Brady.

Current Missouri Western President Elizabeth Kennedy issued a statement sending her regards to the family and Scanlon’s accomplishments.

“Dr. Scanlon will be remembered for his warmth, his empathy and his integrity by those who knew him. He will be deeply missed by family, friends and our University community. We extend our deepest sympathies to the family of Dr. Scanlon during this difficult time. Memorial arrangements are pending,” Kennedy said in a statement.

Scanlon will forever be remembered as part of Missouri Western’s family and history. From the freshman and Chiefs players that stay in Scanlon Hall to every student that receives funding from the Blake K. Scanlon Applied Learning Scholarship. He dedicated his life to higher education and that will never be forgotten.