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Tatro steps into Miesner's shoes
According to many of those people who know him and have worked with him, Jim Miesner had done his part to ensure that Fort Scott Community College continues to head down the road toward a bright future.
About 100 of the retiring FSCC president's colleagues, friends and family members joined city officials and other members of the community to honor Miesner for his eight years of service at the college during a retirement reception Thursday afternoon in the FSCC cafeteria. Miesner was also presented a plaque by new FSCC President Clayton Tatro, whom the college hired in February to replace Miesner.
Tatro now takes over lead administrative duties at FSCC after transitioning into the position the last several weeks.
One of Miesner's friends and former colleagues who attended the reception was Fort Scott Mayor Dick Hedges, who said one of Miesner's best traits while serving as president at FSCC was his ability to stay cool in pressure situations; a trait that Miesner possibly retained from his years serving in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War.
"He's just been outstanding," Hedges said. "Of course, he's been under fire (in the military). There's a calmness about him when he's dealing with things."
Miesner, a graduate of FSCC, took over for Hedges as president at the college in 2003. Miesner announced his retirement last year to pursue other opportunities and spend more time with his family.
One of Miesner's biggest accomplishments during his tenure at the college, Hedges said, was growing FSCC's relationship with Pittsburg State University and branching FSCC occupational programs into other counties. The John Deere Technician Training Program, the Dental Hygiene Program, and a commercial truck driving program are just a few examples of occupational programs that FSCC operates for its students locally and in other counties.
"He helped strengthen bonds with PSU," Hedges said. "All of those (programs) involve partnerships."
FSCC Miami County Campus Director Tylerr Ropp, who also attended the Thursday reception, shared Hedge's comments on Miesner's abilities, adding that FSCC has become a trend setter for community colleges in Kansas because of its relationship with PSU.
"He's so good at building relationships and partnerships," Ropp said. "The occupational programs can be attributed to him. Reaching out has helped sustain this college."
Ropp, who has spent a little more than two years working with Miesner, said that some of Miesner's best attributes include his leadership skills and his unique ability to "know how to take command," which likely also stemmed from his military background. Miesner also typically places a lot of confidence, trust and faith in his staff, Ropp said.
"He tells you something and then you're just able to go do it," he said.
Miesner said the partnership that FSCC shares with PSU is not just important to Fort Scott, but Southeast Kansas as a whole.
"Because out of that comes educational programs that offer students more options," he said.
Miesner added that FSCC is also involved in another important relationship with the Southeast Kansas Education Service Center in Greenbush. This partnership allows FSCC officials to stay in contact with several school district superintendents in the region for the purposes of recruiting high school students and offering them college credit, Miesner said.
"All of us have to partner to make things happen," he said.
Hedges added that Miesner learned much about how to solve situations during his 17-year tenure in administration at Cowley County Community College. Miesner is also adept at quality control, which Hedges said is the idea of simply setting goals and then meeting those goals.
"He's done a good job of that," he said.
FSCC is currently strong academically and financially after Miesner's term, Hedges said. Miesner can now enjoy his grandchildren and other work he does to help out in the community, he said.
"He's got some exciting things ahead of him," Hedges said.
When asked what is next on his agenda following retirement, Miesner said he simply plans to relax at home for awhile.
"I don't have anything big planned," he said. "I'm going to take a couple of weeks off and sit on the deck, and start going from there."
While Miesner said he couldn't possibly get everything accomplished that he wanted to during his time at FSCC, he leaves at a time when the college is operating smoothly and on the right track.
"You can't get everything done that you want to," he said. "I'm very happy with where the college is. Clayton will now take that next step."
Tatro, who comes to FSCC from Garden City Community College where he most recently served as the Dean of Learning Services and Chief Academic Officer, said the last several weeks have been positive for him as he learned the job while sharing Miesner's duties.
"It's such a great opportunity for me," Tatro said. "He's been a mentor, an advisor and has helped me learn the ropes. I've got a running head start, so it's a definite benefit. I wish him all the best. He's set me up for success."
Tatro also said that some of the college's strongest attributes under Miesner's leadership include it's economic impact in the community, and the quality service the college provides to students and the community. The proposed $7 million Danny and Willa Ellis Family Fine Arts Center, which will be built later this year on the FSCC campus, will be a huge asset to the college as he begins his career at FSCC, Tatro said.
"I hope to serve well," he said. "There is a great faculty and staff here."
Miesner said he would definitely miss the people at the college and in the community whom he has worked and interacted with since 1999, when he joined the FSCC staff as dean of instruction.
"I was told, 'You pay attention to the people, they're the ones who get things done'" Miesner said.
Miesner, who also earned bachelors and masters degrees from Central Missouri State University in Warrensburg, Mo., lives in Fort Scott with his wife.