St. Joseph News-Press editor and publisher David R. Bradley was appointed to serve on the University of Missouri Board of Curators, which oversees the operation of the four-campus University of Missouri system. Gov. Jay Nixon announced several appointments to state boards and commissions, including two appointments to the MU board. The governor appointed Mr. Bradley, of St. Joseph, and Wayne Goode of St. Louis, a long-time former state legislator. The appointments will be subject to confirmation by the Missouri Senate when it re-convenes in January, but the appointed members will begin serving immediately.

University of Missouri System, Columbia, Mo., won a $5,246,910 federal contract from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs' Fayetteville VA Medical Center, Fayetteville, Ark., for ancillary medical services.

University of Missouri System announced that K. Blake Danuser steps into the top post as interim vice president after nearly three decades of HR experience. Danuser, who has been the associate vice president since 2002, will replace Ken Hutchinson, who retired at the end of 2007 after 41 years. In the top post, Danuser will lead more than 16,000 employees across the four-campus system. He will help formulate policies and procedures, HR development, and service, educational and grievance programs. He also will serve as the university's principal representative in labor union discussions.