Emeritus Faculty
Mr. Gayle Ashley
Emeritus Professor Gayle Ashley retired from the Missouri State University Department of Agriculture in December, 2001, after 31 years of service, teaching since 1970. He specialized in the instruction of fruit production, vegetables, and diseases of economic plants. Professor Ashley was noted for his broad based knowledge that homeowners in the region frequently sought.
Dr. Robert Glenn
Emeritus Professor Robert Glenn retired from the MSU Department of Agriculture in December, 1999 after 28 years of service, teaching since 1971. He specialized in General Marketing with an emphasis on handling in the futures market. Dr. Glenn was noted for his most entertaining lecture techniques.
Dr. Harry James
Emeritus Professor Harry James retired from the Missouri State University Department of Agriculture in December, 2002 after 20 years of service, teaching since 1982. He specialized in soil genesis and soil morphology, he also organized and coached the highly successful Missouri State University Soil Judging team.
Dr. R. Bruce Johnson
Emeritus Professor R. Bruce Johnson retired from the Missouri State University Department of Agriculture in May 2009.
Dr. Glenn E. Karls*
Dr. Karls was the founder of the Department of Agriculture at Missouri State University. He served as Agriculture Department Head from 1947 to 1968. Dr. Karls began his career at Missouri State University in 1937, he authored a book in 1954, administered to a fast growing department, along with overseeing many outstanding projects and accomplishments until his retirement in June of 1970.
Dr. Vernon Renner
Emeritus Professor Vernon Renner retired from the Missouri State University Department of Agriculture in December 1981 after 19 years of service, teaching since 1962. He taught classes in the soils and crops areas stressing sustainable ecological agriculture. Dr. Renner was instrumental in developing a soils curriculum that at one time produced more than half of the employees in Missouri who were in the USDA Soil Conservation Service.
Mr. John Schatz
Emeritus Professor John Schatz retired from the Missouri State University Department of Agriculture, where he served as head of the department (from 1968-1980) and taught horticulture for 37 years (from 1950 to 1987). Mr. Schatz focused much effort in aiding others to start their own horticultural businesses in the region.
Dr. J.N. Smith*
Emeritus Professor J.N. Smith retired from the Missouri State University Department of Agriculture in 1999, after 40 years of service, teaching since 1959. He taught in the area of Agriculture Economics with a specialty in Agriculture Finance. The Agricultural Industry Study, a unique innovative course that allowed the students to gain insights of the Agricultural Businesses in the Springfield, Kansas City, and St. Louis areas was initiated by Dr. Smith.
Dr. Paul Starks*
Emeritus Professor Paul Starks retired from the Missouri State University Department of Agriculture in 1982 after 16 years of service, teaching since 1966. He taught in the areas of beef and horse production. He initiated the rodeo team and he initiated the design and adopting of the university flag.
Dr. C.E. Stufflebeam
Emeritus Professor Paul Starks retired from the Missouri State University Department of Agriculture in 1996 after 27 years of service, teaching since 1969. He taught classes in animal science, agricultural chemistry, animal breeding, beef cattle production, physiology and entomology. He also wrote 2 animal science textbooks.
*Note those indicated with an asterisk are deceased
Emeritus Staff
Sally McAlear
Administrative Clerk, Mrs. McAlear retired after 25 years of service at Missouri State University. She began her career in 1978 in the Graduate School, in 1981 she transferred to Agriculture where she worked until 1990. From 1990 to 1996, Sally worked in Biology, and in 1996 she transferred back to Agriculture until her retirement in 2003. Sally's passion for genealogy aided greatly in preserving meaningful history of the department.