Missouri Western board swears in Judith Hausman; names interim vice chair and approves minutes

Judith Hausman was sworn in April 23 as a member of the Missouri Western State University Board of Governors. Judge Kellogg administered the oath, and board members welcomed Hausman, who was introduced as a certified public accountant, chief financial officer of Modoc's medical liability insurer and a Missouri Western alumna who was appointed by Governor Mike Kehoe on April 10, 2026.

The board moved promptly into routine business after the swearing-in. Governors approved the minutes as presented and voted to appoint Todd Muchalski as interim vice chair until the board's June election. The chair also named Scott Albers and Bill Severns to a nominating committee to prepare recommendations for the June leadership vote. All procedural items were approved by voice vote with no recorded opposition or abstentions in the meeting record.

Outgoing chair Lee Teeman delivered farewell remarks before Hausman’s introduction, praising campus leadership, faculty and student-athletes and reflecting on his years of service. “The university is clearly bigger than any one person,” Teeman said, urging continued stewardship of the public trust the board holds. The board recessed its public session later to move into a closed meeting under Missouri law to discuss legal, personnel and protected records matters.

Next steps: The board will hold its next public meeting on Thursday, June 25, 2026, when it is scheduled to elect a new chair and vice chair.