Hall of Fame
Kala M. Stroup, PhD, was the first woman President of Murray State University (1983 - 1990) and Southeast Missouri State University (1990-1995) and the first woman to lead the Presidents Council of the OVC. As President of Southeast Missouri State University she moved the University from Division II in athletics and gained admission to the OVC. When President of the OVC she met often with the women athletic directors and some coaches as they were trying to come into compliance with Title IX. Stroup and Commissioner Delany led the Presidents through a strategic planning process that began to address the issue of full participation of women's athletics into the conference. In 2012 on the 40th anniversary of Title IX Stroup was recognized along with some women's athletic directors and coaches by the Conference as Pioneers in Title IX compliance. Stroup was also one of the first women Presidents to be appointed to the NCAA Presidents' Commission.
Stroup later became Missouri Commissioner of Higher Education and on the Governor's Cabinet (1995-2002) and then became the first woman President of the National Nonprofit Leadership Alliance, formerly American Humanics. She then returned to the University of Kansas where she had previously been a Dean and a Professor and taught in the KU Honors College. Stroup retired in 2019 as Emerita Dean. Stroup has been elected to the KU Women's Hall of Fame, authored several books and articles, been awarded five Honorary Doctorates from 5 different universities, named an ICON of Education by Ingram's Magazine, and been awarded the KU Distinguished Service Award (the highest award given by KU). Stroup is a widow after 53 years of marriage to Joe B. Stroup, has two adult children, and 4 grandchildren. She continues to be a fan of OVC athletics.