President of Northwest Missouri State to retire in June 2009

MARYVILLE — The longest-serving president in Northwest Missouri State University is retiring after the 2008-09 school year.

Dean L. Hubbard, who became the university's ninth president when he and his wife, Aleta, came to Maryville in 1984, told the school's Board of Regents on Thursday that he will retire in June 2009.

"It is, of course, with great sadness that I announce my forthcoming retirement," Hubbard said. "There are simply no words to describe the deep affection Aleta and I feel for this university after so many years."

Among Hubbard's accomplishments during his tenure was the establishment of the school's Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, a research center and high-tech business incubator that begins operations next year.