Administration

Communications

Gnuse leaves board after 25 years
Tuesday, June 16, 2009

CANTON, Mo. – Donald K. Gnuse, Quincy, Ill., has been serving on the Culver-Stockton Board of Trustees since 1984 – a quarter of a century. As his term ended at the June board meeting, his fellow board members elected him trustee emeritus.

Born in Missouri, his first job was as a janitor in Lewistown at one of the banks founded by his father. Gnuse earned his bachelor’s degree in business and economics at Culver-Stockton in 1956. He retired in 2006 from his position as chairman of First Bankers Trust Co, where he had served for 50 years since taking a job after graduation at what was then known as Broadway National Bank in Quincy.

Gnuse has served as chairman of the Culver-Stockton Board since 2003, leading it through two presidential searches and recovery from the 2003 tornado.

“In every possible way, the last six years at Culver-Stockton College have had Don Gnuse’s imprint upon both its vision and success,” said William L. Fox, C-SC president, who is leaving at the end of June for St. Lawrence University. “We can’t write the history of the college’s last six years without making Don Gnuse an essential figure in everything – financial planning and stewardship; the track and field complex; our new curriculum , EXP@CSC; a major revision of the board structure and bylaws, and creation of the master plan. Don has been there every step of the way with encouragement and wisdom.”

“Serving as a member of the board of trustees of Culver-Stockton College for the past 25 years has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my business career,” Gnuse said. “The love of this college is contagious among the trustees who come from many walks of life and many who fly or drive from distant states to offer their expertise and financial support to help ensure that Culver Stockton maintains one of the finest curriculums, through EXP@CSC, in all of mid-America."

Ronald W. Leftwich, retired treasurer of Shell Oil, Houston, Texas, and C-SC 1964 graduate, is the new Culver-Stockton chairman of the board. He has served with Gnuse on the board since 1990.

“Don Gnuse is a true leader – a great listener, who shares sage advice, is always prepared and ready, sets the example and encourages participation,” Leftwich said. “As chair of the Board of Trustees, he always ensured the college was moving in a positive direction. Don really was the right person at the right time to provide needed leadership for the board and as advisor to the president. Plus, he was a caring mentor over the past year as he prepared me to undertake the position he filled so well.”

“Positive planning and excellent new programs and activities have been put in place in the past few years at our dynamic college,” Leftwich added. “There is an excitement that Culver-Stockton College is ready to make even greater strides to a successful future. There is still much to be done, and I look forward to helping the board and President-elect Valentine drive our college to new heights."