Our PRESIDENT

Jack Magruder, Ed.D. was born on August 7, 1935, in rural Lentner, Missouri, located in Shelby County. He and his family moved to Kirksville in 1943. Magruder attended Northeast Missouri State Teachers College -- now Truman State University -- and graduated with a bachelor's degree in chemistry and mathematics. He holds a master’s degree in chemistry and science education from the University of Northern Iowa, and he received his doctorate in chemistry and science education from the University of Northern Colorado. He completed additional graduate work at Louisiana State University.

Dr. Magruder is a 1992 graduate of Harvard University's Institute of Educational Management. He was honored in 1999 by the University of Northern Colorado as the recipient of the Administration Achievement Award, and he was granted an Honorary Degree of Doctor of Humane Letters from the Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine in 2002. Dr. Magruder was honored most recently by receiving the 2003 Hall of Fame Award from the Kirksville Area Chamber of Commerce. He's an Honorary Member of the KCOM Alumni Association, 2007.

Dr. Magruder served as a member of the Board of Trustees for A.T. Still University prior to becoming president. He served as Truman State University president for nine years. Dr. Magruder is also on the Missouri State Fair Foundation Board, and the Community Advisory Committee to the Missouri Foundation for Health. He is past chair of the Blue Ribbon Panel for Accountability, Credibility and Efficiency for the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission. During his time at Truman, he served as a member of the Board of Trustees for The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association, past chair of the Missouri Coordinating Board for Higher Education Committee on Transfer and Articulation, past president of the Council of Public Liberal Arts Colleges, past president of the Council on Public Higher Education for Missouri, and past president of the Board of Directors of the Truman State University Foundation.

Dr. Magruder is married to Sue Brimer Magruder, who is a graduate (both B.S. and M.A.) of Truman State University. She met Dr. Magruder on that campus on June 4, 1954. The Magruders have three children — Julie Magruder Lochbaum, Kerry Magruder, and Laura Magruder Mann — all of whom are Truman graduates. The couple also has nine grandchildren. 

Dr. Magruder's hobbies include reading, raising and riding Missouri Fox Trotter horses, driving a team of Haflingers, traveling, and camping. Mrs. Magruder enjoys traveling, reading, fishing, and doing jigsaw puzzles. The Magruders live on their 57-acre family farm located east of Kirksville.