The Mizzou Alumni Association has named MU alunnus and attorney W. Dudley McCarter as its new president.
McCarter graduated from the School of Law in 1975 and later went on to co-found [Behr, McCarter & Potter, P.C. law firm in St. Louis](http://behrmccarterpotter.com/). Throughout his career, McCarter has been awarded several awards and served as the Missouri Bar Association president.
McCarter said he hopes to give back for his time at MU, which prepared him for his legal career.
“I received an outstanding education at the School of Law,” he said. “I hope that by serving as President (of MAA) I can pay back this great university for all it has given me.”
MAA Executive Director Todd McCubbin said McCarter’s leadership ability and strong volunteer skills were reasons for naming McCarter as the new president.
“(McCarter) is a strong leader, excellent relationship builder and skilled speaker,” McCubbin said. “His experience as a student, parent, alumni and donor is outstanding.”
Although he will only spend a year in office as president, McCarter has already set goals he hopes to achieve by the end of his term.
McCarter said he hopes to increase the number of dues-paying members, number of donations made to the MU Traditions Fund and the amount of MU license plates purchased. To achieve these goals, McCarter plans to launch a new recruiting system at the start of his term.
“I plan to implement a student-recruiting team within our Governing Board,” McCarter said. “This will be the first time it has been done and I hope that it continues to grow after we learn from it this year.”
McCarter also plans to increase the overall financial participation of MU alumni. Due to decreases in state funding for higher education, McCarter said, support from alumni is crucial to [maintaining MU’s membership in the Association of American Universities](https://www.themaneater.com/stories/2014/7/8/mu-budgets-reallocated-strategic-plan/).
“Our membership in the AAU is extremely important and private support for our University will be paramount for us to maintain that membership,” he said.
McCubbin is excited to see what McCarter can achieve as MAA’s new president.
“(MU) is blessed to have a loyal alumni base but I can’t think of anyone more dedicated to the advancement of our university than McCarter,” he said.
Tim Reichardt, an MU alumnus and associate at McCarter’s law firm, said McCarter is always promoting his alma mater and is highly invested in the university’s well being.
“As an alum, I can wholeheartedly say that there is no one better for the job than (McCarter),” Reichardt said. “His dedication to (MU) is remarkable. He promotes (MU) at every given opportunity. You simply will not find anyone more proud of his school.”
McCarter is eager to start his term as president and work with other members of the Governing Board.
“I enjoy working with others who share the same passion and have the same goals as I do,” he said. “Like everyone on our Governing Board, I want (MU) to be recognized as one of the best universities in the country.”