Prior to entering the field of education, Erik J. Hilgendorf, director of testing and minority affairs assistant coordinator, worked for "the world's largest fundraising organization".

This "fundraising organization" was the Internal Revenue Service, where Hilgendorf worked as an auditor. He said, of the people who work for the IRS, that they're "just average, everyday people who don't like the new regulations that our congressmen and Senate pass."

Hilgendorf came to Missouri Southern June1, after working seven years at Crowder College, where he "wore many hats". He was an instructor, director of assessments and institutional research, and also worked in admissions. Hilgendorf thought he "had done all he could do" at Crowder and applied at Southern out of "curiosity". Being a resident of Joplin helped confirm his decision to take the job that the College offered him. Before Crowder, he was an instructor at Allen County Community College in Iola, Kan.

Hilgendorf has been married to his wife, Angela, for seven years. She is an RN at the OB-Gyn clinic at St. John's Regional Medical Center. They have four children: Eric, Zach, McKenzie, and Halle. He said that his children and "wonderful" wife occupy "the majority of his time".

Hilgendorf used to compete in triathlons but said he was "getting too old for that". Now, he considers himself a "yard person" and spends a substantial amount of time growing plants.

"My wife has forbidden me to plant any more trees on the property," said Hilgendorf.

Hilgendorf said that he enjoys living in the Joplin area. He used to live in Austin and prefers the smaller town.

"The million plus type of thing is almost neurotic," he said. "Joplin has all the amenities that we want, but yet still has the charm of a small town."

Hilgendorf completed his undergraduate studies at Southwest Texas State University in San Marcos, near Austin. He received his Master's degree from Emporia State University in Kansas.

Hilgendorf enjoys the college atmosphere and considers himself a "student for life".

"I could walk into any lecture hall here on campus and just be totally enthralled, irregardless of the subject matter," said Hilgendorf.

There is the possibility of a doctoral program from the University of Missouri in education administration coming to Southern. He said that if it came on campus, he would likely pursue it.

He always wanted to work in higher education and misses teaching in the classroom. He said he has been "looking into other teaching avenues", and will be lecturing a career class in the second eight weeks of this semester.

Hilgendorf had some advice for the students of Southern concerning the completion of their degrees.

"I think that most of them are always looking down a long tunnel thinking how long is it going to be to finish school, especially if they're working 40 hours, commuting, single parents or those kinds of things," he said. "Take it one day at a time and pretty soon you're halfway done and the next thing you know you're putting that mortar board on your head and crossing that stage. You look back and say 'what's the next challenge?'".

Published by The Chart on 10-15-99.