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Titles

  1. Names of faculty members, on first reference, should be proceeded by Dr. (when appropriate) and followed by a comma, their academic title, and another comma. Note that the title “Dr.” should not be used with music faculty. Please refer to the back of the University Bulletin for current faculty titles.

    ie. Dr. Gerald McDougall, dean of the Donald L. Harrison College of Business, recently commented on the national economic downturn.

    ie. Dr. Jeremy Barnes, associate professor of health management, spoke to the group about the benefits of aerobic exercise.

    ie. Sara Edgerton, director of the Southeast Missouri Symphony Orchestra, said the fall concert season will open with a spectacular performance.

  2. Titles, in general, should be lowercased when they follow a name and uppercased when they proceed a name.
     ie. George Bush, president of the United States
     ie. President George Bush

  3. Names of staff members, on first reference, should include first and last name, followed by a comma, their title, and another comma. Please refer to the back of the University Bulletin for current staff titles.

    ie.  Diane Sides, director of University Relations, is spearheading Family Weekend events.

  4. Titles containing official names of units should be uppercased. Functional titles or titles that contain offices within units, should be lowercase.

    i.e. Scott Meyer, director of Facilities Management, said construction on the project should be complete in November.

    ie. Trudy Lee, director of planned giving, commented on the University’s Horizons Program.

    ie. Wayne Smith, vice president for University Advancement, said this is the largest single gift in the history of the University.

  5. On second reference, faculty and staff should be referred to by their last name.

     ie. Dobbins said higher education in Missouri is plagued by budgetary issues.

  6. Middle initials are never used, except on first reference for the president of the University and major donors for whom buildings have been named. 

    ie. Kenneth W. Dobbins, president of Southeast Missouri State University

    ie. Harry L. Crisp Bootheel Education Center

    ie. Donald L. Harrison College of Business

    *Exception also is made for Jeanine Larson Dobbins, wife of President Dobbins, who prefers her full middle name be used on all references.

  7. First initials are used only when a person uses their first initial but is known by their middle name.

    ie. Dr. I. “Sue” Shepard, dean of the College of Education

  8. When referring to the president of the University in formal, external correspondence, use Kenneth W. Dobbins, president of Southeast Missouri State University. In internal and more casual references, use, Dr. Ken Dobbins, president of Southeast Missouri State University.

  9. In referring to heads of academic departments, the proper terminology is “department chair” or “chair.”

    ie. Dr. Jack Sterrett is currently serving as department chair.

    ie. Dr. Jack Sterrett, chair of the Department of Management and Marketing, recently helped launch the AmeriCorps VISTA Program.

    Lowercase department and uppercase Chair in references such as:
    ie. department Chair Judy Wiles

  10. In referring to heads of colleges and schools, the proper terminology is dean.

    ie. Dr. Loretta Prater, dean of the College of Health and Human Services,

    ie. Dr. Randy Shaw, dean of the School of Polytechnic Studies and assistant provost of extended learning,

    Current Deans
    • Dr. Gerald McDougall, dean of the Donald L. Harrison College of Business
    • Dr. I. “Sue” Shepard, dean of the College of Education
    • Dr. Loretta Prater, dean of the College of Health and Human Services
    • Dr. Martin Jones, dean of the College of Liberal Arts
    • Dr. Chris McGowan, dean of the College of Science and Mathematics
    • Dr. Randy Shaw, dean of the School of Polytechnic Studies and assistant provost of Extended Learning
    • Dr. Fred Janzow, dean of the School of Graduate Studies
    • Dr. Dave Starrett, dean of the School of University Studies and Academic Information Services
    • Dr. Sarah Cron, dean of Academic Information Services and director of Kent Library
    • Dr. Irene Ferguson, dean of students

  11. Lowercase modifiers such as history in history Professor Bonnie Stepenoff

  12. Do not precede a name with Dr. and follow it with their academic degree, as in Dr. Martin Jones, Ph.D. Preferred usage is Dr. Martin Jones, who has a doctoral degree in philosophy.

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