Hubbard Hearth dedicated as gathering space to continue legacy of building relationships

Hubbard Hearth dedicated as gathering space to continue legacy of building relationships

The Northwest Missouri State University community gathered Friday afternoon to dedicate an addition to its presidential residence that will nurture relationships and connections for generations to come.

The ceremony marked the completion of the Hubbard Hearth and Fireplace, an extension to the north patio of the historic Thomas Gaunt House that matches the home's brick exterior as well as the architecture of other campus buildings with its limestone dressing.

Northwest broke ground in July on the project, which was made possible with funding provided through a multi-year gift from the Hubbard family.

"The Gaunt House has been the backdrop for countless moments of connection, connections for students, alumni, faculty, staff, and friends of Northwest who find not just a house, but a home," Northwest President Dr. Lance Tatum said during his introductory remarks. "So today, that sense of warmth and welcome grows stronger, thanks to the generosity of the two remarkable members of this Bearcat family, President Dean L. and First Lady Aleta Hubbard."

Dr. Dean L. Hubbard, Northwest's ninth president who died in March, led the University from 1984 to 2009. His tenure included unprecedented growth, success and recognition for the institution, including for its "Culture of Quality" initiative designed to foster continuous improvement in all aspects of the University's operations.

Dr. Tom Vansaghi recalled not only Dean Hubbard's pursuit of excellence but the mentorship he provided to individuals who had the privilege of knowing and working alongside him.

Vansaghi arrived at Northwest as a student in the fall of 1988. He was elected Student Senate president for the 1990-1991 academic year and graduated with a bachelor's degree in government. After working as a member of Gov. Mel Carnahan's staff in Jefferson City, he returned to Northwest from 1999 to 2004 to serve as an assistant to President Hubbard. Today, he is employed at William Jewell College as an assistant professor of nonprofit leadership and director of strategic planning.

"Dean taught me that leadership was not about titles or accolades," Vansaghi said. "It's about lighting fires in others and helping them burn brightly with purpose, compassion and hope. So the Hubbard Hearth and Fireplace will forever stand as a symbol of that light - a place where future generations will gather, learn, dream and grow. It will remind us that we were all called to mentor, to lift, to nurture and to ignite the potential in those around us."

Representing present-day students, Student Senate President Anna Tucker reflected on activities the Tatums have hosted for students at the Gaunt House, including an ice cream social in August to celebrate the start of the academic year. Such events, she said, illustrate the patio's important role in helping to build connections among students, employees, alumni and others who visit the Northwest campus.

"These gatherings remind us that the heart of our campus is not found only in programs or facilities, but in the relationships that we build with one another," Tucker said. "She added,

Speaking on behalf of the Hubbard family, Dean and Aleta Hubbard's daughter, Dr. Melody Messner, reflected on the welcoming environment her parents established at the Gaunt House through activities that continue today, such as a welcome-back picnic for faculty and staff in the fall.

"It was within the context of relationship-building activities that my parents told the Northwest story," Messner said. "They invited support for the challenges that Northwest faced. They explained the Northwest mission, and they helped connect the dots between the strategic goals and initiatives, thereby continuing to move the Northwest agenda forward."

Messner added, "This hearth is a symbol of the relationship-building legacy my parents have left to President Tatum and our First Lady, Jill. And in many ways, it's a practical symbol of how my parents took advantage of everyday opportunities and how people who participated in these activities came away with so many wonderful memories and how strong the bonds have remained over many, many years."

The Thomas Gaunt House, located on Fourth Street at the south edge of the University campus, was built during the 1870s and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1979. It has served as a residence for Northwest presidents since the institution's founding in 1905.