Hubbard will retire in July of 2009 after serving 15 years as the University's president.

Northwest Missouri State President Dean Hubbard announced his retirement Thursday. Hubbard will retire in July of 2009 after serving 15 years as the University's president. He told the News-Press in an interview that he is making the announcement a year in advance to give the University time to find a suitable replacement.

Hubbard attributes culture of quality and word of mouth from students to the 20 percent growth pattern Northwest will see over the next five years. He said he plans to write a book about the culture of quality he established while at Northwest.