UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION REMEMBERS LONG-TIM EDUCATOR AT HOMECOMING

Spirits of the past descended on Southeast Missouri State University this weekend for annual Homecoming celebrations.

As part of the Homecoming events, Delmar A. Cobble posthumously was named the 1992 "Friend of the University" by the Southeast Missouri University Foundation.

Cobble was a long-time educator in Southeast Missouri and former deputy commissioner for the Missouri Department of Education. "Friend of the University" is the highest honor bestowed by the institution. He died Aug. 2.

Other Homecoming activities included the annual parade (the largest ever), the gridiron match up between the Indians and the University of Tennessee-Martin Pacers, (Indians won 37-13) and the announced outcome of the University Man and Woman of the Year election. Brad Grupe of Smithton, Mo. was named Man of the Year and Shelia Higgs of Malden was named Woman of the Year.

In presenting the Friend of the University Award, University President Kala Stroup said, "Friends come in all forms and kinds and types."

She said that at the time of Cobble's death in August, the award selection committee was talking about bestowing the honor on him.

"He is one of the few educators recognized by higher education and elementary and secondary education, by teachers, administrators and school boards alike."

Stroup also announced formation of the Delmar and Allene Cobble Scholarship, to be awarded for the coming spring semester to a student pursuing a career in education.

This is the first time the University has presented the award posthumously. Cobble's sister Margaret Tunnell of Cape Girardeau accepted the award on her late brother's behalf. Cobble's wife Allene preceded him in death in February 1984.

Cobble served as a member of the Southeast Missouri University Foundation for two consecutive terms from July 1983 to July 1989. He was nominated for a third term which began in the fall of 1990. In addition, he was a sustaining member of the President's Council, a charter member of the Horizon Club and chairman of the "Caring for the Future" campaign that raised $458,270 for the University's Crisp Hall of Nursing. Goal of that campaign was $400,000.

Cobble was a graduate of Southeast Missouri State University and the University of Missouri-Columbia. He taught in Cape Girardeau and Bollinger county schools and later served as superintendent of schools in Patton, Lutesville and Caruthersville. In 1959, the State Board of Education appointed him area supervisor of instruction for the Southeast Missouri District.

In 1961, he moved to Jefferson City where he held several positions in the State Department of Education including director of school laws, assistant commissioner of administration and deputy commissioner of education.

Following his retirement from the State Department of Education, Cobble spent two years as an adviser to the State Board and taught graduate courses in school finances at Southeast Missouri State University. During this period, he also served on several state and national education committees.

In 1976, former Missouri Gov. Joseph Teasdale appointed Cobble to the State Board of Education where he continued his service to education another 10 years. He served twice as State Board president from 1977-1978 and from 1982 to 1983.

During his career in education, Cobble received numerous honors and awards. They include the Citation of Merit Award from the University of Missouri-Columbia, the Meritorious Service Award from the Southeast Missouri Teachers Association, the Award of Merit from the Missouri Association of School Administrators and the Outstanding Educator's Award from the Jackson R-II Community Teachers Association.

In 1982, the Delmar A. Cobble State School in Columbia was named in his honor.

Also in 1982, as a tribute to his long contribution to education in Missouri, Cobble was named a "Pioneer in Education" by the Missouri State Board of Education.

In addition, Cobble was a member of the First Baptist Church of Jackson, the Rotary International Club, the Southeast Missouri Hospital Board of Trustees and the hospital's Foundation Board, Phi Delta Kappa honorary society, and the Jackson Garden Club. He served as president of the Executive Club of Cape Girardeau.

He previously served as alumni president at Southeast Missouri State University, trustee of the Public School Retirement System, and director of the Central States Area for the National Association of State School Boards. He also was a member of the Missouri and American Association of School Administrators.

Cobble, a life-long Masonic order member, was a World War II veteran who served as an officer in the Army Field Artillery and as an Army Education Officer. He received a Purple Heart for wounds received in combat.