MARYVILLE, Mo. — Dr. Robert Clark’s vision for Northwest Missouri State University, if he becomes president, would focus on innovation.

The second of four candidates for the job of president of the university made a visit to the campus Friday and spoke to groups of students, faculty, staff and community members.

Dr. Dean Hubbard, president of Northwest for the past 25 years, is retiring in July.

Dr. Clark, vice chancellor of the University of Kansas’ campus in Overland Park, Kan., has an extensive background in education, starting as a counselor and progressing to a teacher, director of financial aid and dean of school management. He spent the first 14 years of his 30-year career at Syracuse University.

Taking a student’s query about how or if he would build on Northwest’s reputation as the electronic campus, Dr. Clark claimed he’d “make it stronger.” He said he thought the electronic book pilot program that Northwest has been testing was a “good idea” and that Northwest is “unique” in its approach to innovation.

“KU isn’t doing anything nearly as innovated as you are here,” he told about a dozen students in a meeting before he met with 100 or more faculty, staff and community members in the board room at the student union.

Dr. Clark, who gave insightful answers to questions ranging from business school accreditation to residence hall life, said his first priority as president would be to market Northwest’s achievements across state lines and drum up support for Northwest in Jefferson City.

“We need to be sure the story of Northwest is told,” he said.

As for the recent board action of firing a cabinet member without consulting Dr. Hubbard, Dr. Clark told a reporter he didn’t know the particulars and he wouldn’t pass judgement, but if faced with a similar situation, he would hope the board would explain its concerns to him. He said he would encourage open communication with the board members if he were to become president.

Dr. Clark roused laughter several times from the participants in the town-hall-style meeting Friday, especially when addressing a faculty member’s question about sabbaticals and whether he would make a “campaign promise” to support more sabbaticals to faculty.

Dr. Clark received his undergraduate degree in sociology from Arizona State University in 1973. He received his master’s in education from Colorado State University and his doctorate in educational administration from Syracuse University. He’s had additional education at the Institute for Educational Management at Harvard University.

Dr. Kent Porterfield, vice president for student development at St. Louis University, will be the third candidate to visit the campus on Tuesday.

Jimmy Myers can be reached at jimmym@npco.com