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 From An Edited Press Release-The contract for Dr. Drew Bennett, chancellor for the West Plains Campus of Missouri State University, has been extended for two years through June 30, 2014. Bennett has been chancellor since July 1, 2007.

The Missouri State Board of Governors approved the contract extension during the closed session of its June 22 meeting. In accordance with the Missouri Open Meetings, Open Records Law , the university has 72 hours in which to announce actions taken in closed session.

Bennett’s salary for 2012-13 will be $150,000, an increase from this year’s $138,822, making it more consistent with salaries for other Missouri community college presidents. In addition, Bennett will have membership to the West Plains County Club and live in the Richards Home, the chancellor’s residence at West Plains.

Prior to coming to West Plains, Bennett was commandant of the Marine Corps Chair, National War College, National Defense University at Ft. McNair in Washington, D.C. Prior to joining the National War College, he spent 30 years in the U.S. Marine Corps before retiring in 2007 as a colonel.

During his military career, which included a tour as chief of staff of the 3rd Marine Division in Okinawa, Japan, he also spent 12½ years in the higher education field, serving as a full-time faculty member for 3½ years at Texas A&M and two years at the National War College and as an adjunct professor at both the community and four-year college level. Those schools included Blinn College, Central Texas College, George Washington University and Norwich University.

Bennett received his bachelor’s degree from Tulane University, a master’s degree in human relations from Golden Gate University, a master’s degree in security strategy at the National War College, and a doctorate in adult and extension education from Texas A&M University.