Missouri Western State University’s president says that despite financial hurdles that loom over the next fiscal year, the college is poised to overcome obstacles.

Dr. Bob Vartabedian gave a “state of the university” address Friday morning at St. Joe Rising, a quarterly event held by the government relations committee of the St. Joseph Area Chamber of Commerce. He updated a crowd of about 60 local elected officials, city and county leaders, and business community members.

While most higher education institutions were preparing for a flat appropriation next year, Dr. Vartabedian said they’re now hearing rumors that there may be some cuts. The economic crisis, he said, will create an “interesting” couple of years for the university.

“We’re more than capable of meeting that challenge and creating solutions,” he said, adding that they’ll look for external money and grants to generate revenue.

Enrollment at the university has set records for five consecutive years. Dr. Vartabedian said he predicts the student body count will hit 10,000 by the year 2020, which would double the current estimated $183 million that the university pumps into the community.

Dr. Vartabedian, who replaced Dr. James Scanlon as president last year, said the university has accomplished or is on the path to accomplishing goals set when he took the job. The school has implemented a financial literacy component to its freshman orientation, involved more retired faculty and staff in university events, put more emphasis on bringing international students to campus, and worked toward NCAA athletic compliance issues.

The university offers 33 online courses, but Dr. Vartabedian said that number would probably triple in the near future. Also multiplying will be signage and other beautification measures that will be taken with a $210,000 donation to the campus.

During the question-answer session, Vince Capell, St. Joseph city manager, asked about the university’s future Downtown.

“We’ve been losing some money on our Downtown campus,” Dr. Vartabedian said of the facility at 515 N. Sixth St., where the Law Enforcement Academy is stationed. “In all honesty, we probably can’t continue what we’re doing there, particularly in this economic climate.”

He said the university would like to continue to have a Downtown connection and would look to another avenue to keep that connection.

Jimmy Myers can be reached at jimmym@npgco.com