Kathy Rieck ('73, '76, '81)
 
A north Missouri native, Kathy Rieck was born in Marceline and grew up in Macon. Her mother attended Northeast Missouri State University (now Truman State University), and later served as long-term associate circuit clerk for Macon County.

Kathy worked in the local Rexall drugstore during high school, then enrolled at Northeast in 1969. She held responsible summer employment positions in college, calculating property taxes for the Macon County clerk and working for the Macon County prosecuting attorney.

Kathy holds three degrees from Northeast Missouri State University: bachelor of science in education in business education (1973); master of arts in secondary school administration (1976); and bachelor of science in accounting in 1981. She earned her Certified Public Accountant certificate (1981).

Shortly after graduating in May of 1973, Kathy received a call from University President Charles McClain’s office asking if she would be interested in working at the University. She began working in the President’s back office a week later, with plans to stay for a year or two. Little did she know that her career at Northeast would span 32 years.

Her early assignments at Northeast gave her well-rounded experiences. Kathy often acted as the first point of contact between the president’s office and external constituents. She served on numerous campus-wide committees including those responsible for institutional accreditation, long-range planning, information technology, athletics, and major administrative searches.  Quickly recognized as bright, resourceful, and kind, she became a mentor and role model to students and staff members, many of whom now hold leadership positions in education, government, and business.  
 

In 1985, when the University’s mission was changed to be the statewide public liberal arts and sciences university, Kathy was named executive assistant to the president-Admissions. She was charged with upgrading admission standards, setting qualitative and quantitative admission goals for the “new” university, and modifying policies and processes to be in line with those of a highly selective institution. She developed successful student recruitment and retention strategies which resulted in dramatic increases in the size and ability of the student body. Truman is now nationally recognized for the strength of its students.

Kathy was named dean of Admission and Records in 1988. Her expanded responsibilities included enrollment management, freshman and transfer student recruitment and enrollment, and supervision of the Admissions, Registrar’s, Financial Aid, and International Student Offices. Here, again, her mentoring skills created a legacy now represented at colleges across the country. Her earlier international travels with Fran McKinney helped make friends for Truman around the world.

When Jack Magruder became president of the University, he asked Kathy to serve in the dual role of dean of Admission and Records, and executive assistant to the president. She continued in both positions throughout his presidency. In 2003, she was named vice president for University Advancement. She retired in 2005.

Thousands of entering Truman students have received admissions letters with personal notes, written in Kathy’s distinctive pink ink. Countless alums, parents, faculty, staff, and board members have had Kathy on their speed-dial. President McClain wrote: “I know of no one who has contributed more to the success of Northeast Missouri State (Truman) than Kathy Rieck. She envisioned a bright future for her old school, and then worked tirelessly to make it happen.”

For Kathy, "retirement" has included cultivation of her collection of antiques and care for her aging poodles. She operates a small business called “Anna’s Antiques,” with booths in antique malls, antiques shows, and Internet sales. She has taken courses to become a Master Gardener and now works with community beautification projects. She serves as president of the Kirksville Arts Association, chair of the antique show for the Red Barn Arts, Crafts, and Antiques Festival, and coordinator of volunteers for that festival. She can occasionally be found relaxing on a pontoon boat on 1000 Hills Lake with Jim Lyons.

Kathy is an active supporter of the Truman State University Foundation, and says she is looking forward to serving as a member of the “Bright Minds, Bright Futures” regional campaign committee for northeast Missouri.