Ewing confirmed to MSSU Board of Governors

Vernon County Prosecutor Lynn M. Ewing III, recently appointed to Missouri Southern State University Board of Governors, traveled to Jefferson City on Wednesday, March 31, to attend a Senate confirmation hearing and was informed by the office of Sen. David Pearce on Thursday that he was confirmed to the position by the Missouri State Senate.

Governor Jay Nixon appointed Ewing, who was sponsored by Sen. David Pierce, to the MSSU board of governors in February. A spokesman for Pierce stated that the Senator was "more than happy to sponsor an individual with such a great record of service like Mr. Ewing has, and he is sure he'll do a great job."

A prepared statement from Nixon's press secretary Scott Holste said, "Governor Nixon places a high importance on higher education in Missouri, and he wouldn't have selected Lynn if he didn't have confidence in him. He's glad that Ewing will be joining that board and is a confirmed member."

Resting comfortably in his office on the third floor of the Vernon County Courthouse, Ewing, who sought the appointment, said, "I am thrilled to have the opportunity to do it, because it's an opportunity to serve and work on issues in higher education."

Ewing has already attended one board meeting. He has a firm philosophy regarding education and is looking forward to his role on the board of governors whose primary functions are to set university policy and provide oversight.

Ewing sees a dichotomy in higher education. "Is it public or private?" he said. He thinks that if you can do the work and get the grades that it requires, "you should be able to go to college."

The focus of any institution, he said, is to provide an education and I believe that "education at its core is a public good." One of the roles he sees for himself is "doing everything the university can to make the university affordable and available."

Ewing has been the Vernon County prosecutor since 1999. Prior to that he was the mayor of Nevada and served on the city council.

He practiced law with Ewing and Hoberock in Nevada and was assistant prosecuting attorney for the city of Nevada.

Ewing, no stranger to public service, has served as a member of the board of directors of the Nevada Area Economic Develop-ment Commission and has given his time and expertise to several other local boards, including the Community Council on the Performing Arts, Moss Preschool and Child Care and the United Community Funds of Vernon County