Background
Foster was born in Warrensburg, Missouri and earned a Bachelor from Central Missouri State University in 1939.
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Robert Porter
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During his tenure "s enrollment increased from 500 to 6,500. He was a high school teacher, coach and principal in Carrollton, Missouri High School from 1939 to 1942. While working on a masters from the University of Missouri, he left to become a lieutenant commander in the United States. Navy during World World War World War II After the war he would be state commander of the Missouri American Legion.
After the war they moved to Maryville where he purchased East.L Townsend Grocery Company which he operated until 1948 when he became registrar and later director of admissions at He finished his masters in 1951 and a Phd from the University of Missouri in 1960.
He served as dean of administration from 1959 until 1964. He was the first president to deal with increased competition from Missouri Western State University.
His approach was to massively grow the school. Building built under his watch included:
Garrett-Strong Science Building
Olive DeLuce Fine Arts Building;
Four high-rise residence halls
Donald Valk Building
Expansion of the J.W. Jones Student Union
Colden Hall renovations
Martindale Hall renovations
Administration Building renovations
Memorial Bell Tower - the first building funded by the Foundation
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The school changed from a four year school to having a master program resulting in its name change from Missouri State College to Missouri State University.
In 1981 the Robert P. Foster Aquatic Center was named for him.
Achievements
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Born
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Died
March 10, 2008 (aged 90)