LINN — State Tech Regents President John A. Klebba took a seemingly innocent tour of facilities on Thursday, but was shocked to see several people taking photos as he headed toward the Activity Center.

“I remember when I first became chairman of the board, and I talked to Don,” said Klebba of former State Tech President, Dr. Donald Claycomb. “I said, Don, ‘let’s set a few guidelines here.’ I said, ‘You know, it’s important, especially when we have public meetings, that we kind of know what’s going on. So the number one rule is, no surprises.’ Shawn, apparently, we never had that talk.”

Current State Tech President, Dr. Shawn Strong, was among a few to provide context for Klebba’s 30-year tenure on the Board of Regents.

Klebba noted that he didn’t realize what was happening at first. “It took me a while to look up on the building, and I really don’t know what to say,” he said of the realization that the facility had been renamed to the John A. Klebba Activity Center. “To say that I didn’t expect this is a gross understatement.”

Klebba is the longest-serving governor appointee in the state, and has served on an expired term. He was appointed by Gov. Mel Carnahan, and subsequent governors either renewed Klebba’s term or declined to remove him.

“I’m overwhelmed and humbled, and I can only hope that the next 30 years for this institution are as good as the last 30 years, and that we continue to have presidents like you two, who have done everything really and deserve all the credit,” Klebba told Dr. Claycomb and Dr. Strong. “You and your teams deserve the credit for what has gone on here.”

Klebba remembers starting the journey in 1996, when State Tech became part of the state’s higher education system. “What we started with when I first came on this board, and when we first started became part of the state, was pretty modest,” said Klebba. “Part of the campus was still behind the old high school. We were just really starting to build out here.

“But frankly, I’m not going to take any credit because the fact is, we have had two outstanding leaders in my tenure, people who had vision and the ability to get things done,” Klebba continued. “All I had to say was ‘yes.’ I’ve told people that the key to being a good board, and especially a good board officer, is, if you’ve got leadership, get the hell out of the way. Let them do what they do best, which, on a day-to-day basis, is to set missions, establish goals, and find people who can actually get those things done. And they have both done that. I appreciate the awfully kind words that you have uttered, but I just don’t take much credit here. I have been a stabilizing force for 30 years, and I’m the last of the Mohicans in the sense that I was named to the original board in 1996. My hair was a lot darker then, and my belly wasn’t as full, but I remember the vision that people had when they first started this back in 1961. All we’ve done is try to realize that vision, although Thurman Willett would turn in his grave if he saw what has come out of what he originally envisioned as, I think, a relatively small institution to educate mostly local kids.

“Look what we’ve done now, and look what we’re going to do,” Klebba added. “We just toured buildings that will be completed by this time next year. We won’t have any major building projects going on for the first time in a long, long time. And my thanks to the state, to the governor, for seeing our vision and funding our vision. I’m truly humbled.”

Regents VP Steve Sellenriek, a 1997 graduate of State Tech, said he has a unique perspective. “The role of the Board of Regents is straightforward but important,” he said. “Our responsibilities provide oversight, maintain fiscal responsibility, and help ensure the institution stays focused on its mission. It’s an honor to serve in that role, and it’s not something we take lightly. John has always taken the role of Board of Regents seriously. He shows up prepared ask questions that need to be asked, and keeps the board focused on its responsibility to the institution and the state. That kind of leadership matters, and it’s been a privilege to serve alongside him. It’s important that we recognize John’s service today by dedicating this building in his name. It reflects the lasting impact of steady leadership and commitment to public service. He’s taught me how to serve on several different boards across the country. John has been a mentor, and I appreciate it.”

District 61 Rep. Bruce Sassmann compared Klebba to American architect and urban planner Daniel Burnham, who said, “Make no little plans; they have no magic to stir men’s blood, and probably themselves will not be realized.  Make big plans; aim high in hope and work, remembering that a noble, logical diagram once recorded will never die, but long after we are gone will be a living thing, asserting itself with ever-growing insistency. Remember that our sons and grandsons are going to do things that would stagger us.”

He also noted that Klebba is a three-dimensional thinker. “John has made big plans that will have lasting power,” said Sassmann. “We appreciate your vision and your hard work to build this technical college.”

Sassmann also delivered a proclamation on behalf of Gov. Mike Kehoe, who served on the Board of Regents at its beginning as well.

Kehoe noted Klebba has served with distinction on the State Technical College of Missouri’s Board of Regents for 30 years, demonstrating an extraordinary commitment to public service and to the mission of the college.

Klebba became chairman in 2003 and has provided consistent principal leadership and played a central role in guiding the college’s strategic direction, institutional growth, and continued pursuit of excellence, Kehoe’s proclamation said. “Throughout his three decades of service, John Klebba has contributed thoughtful guidance and sound judgment during periods of significant growth, transformation and national recognition for State Technical College of Missouri, his leadership has helped advance academic programs, expand facilities, strengthen employer partnerships, and support a comprehensive student experience that prepares graduates for successful and meaningful careers,” Kehoe wrote, adding the proclamation recognizes Klebba’s exceptional service and lasting impact.

Dr. Claycomb told the crowd of faculty, staff, and community members that while the college has seen tremendous growth and development, a college president is only as successful as the people making decisions. “When people tell me I did a good job at the college, I tell them it’s because there’s a strong board that supports the president and the staff all the way through,” he said. “Having a strong board is just part of it. We have been blessed over the last several years with a very strong president. John, as far as I’m concerned, congratulations. If anyone deserves it, you deserve it. And I’m sure, knowing your dad like I had a chance to get to know him, he would be very proud of what you have been able to accomplish over the years.”

Dr. Strong praised Klebba’s leadership and the work of Dr. Claycomb. “Nearly 10 years ago, John hired me for the best job in higher education,” he said. “We all know the incredible story of Dr. Claycomb, who took this campus from Linn Tech to State Tech, and the transformation of this campus has set the stage for our growth over the last decade. What I didn’t know 10 years ago and know now was how significant John’s leadership on the board really was. I called John my chief enabler.”

Dr. Strong noted that he is not averse to risk, which is a stark contrast to Klebba. “I kind of love risk,” he added. “However, bankers tend to be pretty risk-averse. John is pretty conservative, so the only thing I can figure out is that this place is how he finds his balance. Typically, the bigger and crazier the idea, the more excited John gets. He actually brought a big project to us two years ago, and we actually had to say no to it only when we convinced him that we had a more significant alternative that I can’t talk about now. He finally relented.

“John likes big projects,” Dr. Strong continued. “He’s made a significant impact on this community, and I’ve got a couple of examples that I want to share with you. And one, probably one of the more significant impacts, is all the student housing. Well, you say, John didn’t build all the student housing, but we would not have the student housing that we have today without the respect and confidence developers have in John. These developers don’t come to me and ask if the growth is real or if the growth is going to continue. They go to John, and then they build.

“When it was proposed that we take over the Osage Country Club, it was John who went with me to the meetings, and his presence assured the members that it was going to be okay,” Dr. Strong added. “And then John and the rest of the board approved the building on top of the hill. You can always tell when you have somebody who’s never been in the Osage View. They walk in and  have that astonished look that says, ‘What the hell is this doing in Osage County?’”

Dr. Strong also credited Klebba for his vital role in bringing football to Linn. “We really set the standard for starting a small school football program, but it was really John’s mastermind, and I don’t truly know the extent of how often John is working behind the scenes to get things done, but these are my experiences,” he said. “Over the last decade, we’ve continued what John and Don set the stage for. We’ve grown the campus from about 400,000 square feet to 800,000 square feet. The campus footprint has grown from 300 acres to 800 acres. We finished the Welding Building, the Health Science Center, Civil Technology, Utility Technology, Safety Village, and Heavy Equipment Building Technology.

The Willett Automation Center and the Ag Building are under construction. During the same period, State Tech has grown the campus from 1,200 to 2,400 students.

“We’ve also been named the best two-year college in the country for five of the last six years,” said Dr. Strong. “During my entire tenure, John has been working behind the scenes, along with the rest of the Regents, enabling greatness. He has done this for 30 years, long before my tenure, and I’m confident we have a governor who thinks as much of John as we do, and hope to keep him on the board for at least seven more years — for as long as he will have us.”

During a recent meeting with Kehoe, the governor confirmed that he still thinks highly of Klebba, and he will serve on the board as long as the Republican leader is in office.

“This campus would not be what it is today without John Klebba,” said Dr. Strong. “It is fitting that our most public-facing and community youth building now has the Klebba name. Congratulations and thank you for all you’ve done for myself, State Tech, and the community.”