Robert
L. Marshall
Class of 1998
Background:
A native of Kansas (USA), Dr. Robert L. Marshall was born
in 1925. He earned his B.A. in mathematics, an M.S. from the
University of Wichita, and a doctorate from the University
of Kansas. His 50-year career in safety began by teaching
driver education in the Kansas public schools.
Dr. Marshall steadily advanced through a series of positions
at state and national levels. Each safety change in professional
assignment was in recognition of his innovative contributions
and leadership in safety education. His early investigation
and his innovative leadership led him to organize safety education
into three components: administration, protection and education.
These factors became the basic elements for the development
and implementation of safety education programs throughout
the nation--from elementary to university levels. Dr. Marshall's
organizational skills contributed greatly to a professional
career characterized by rapid advancement.
Professional
Experience:
Dr. Marshall began his professional career as a teacher of
mathematics and as an instructor driver education in Kansas
public schools. His dedication to the concept that safety
should be taught throughout our schools soon propelled him
into positions of greater responsibility including director
of the first city-wide safety program of the Kansas City (MO)
public schools. He was also appointed to the National Commission
on Safety Education, a commission of the National Education
Association. At that time, this commission was the nation's
premier institution for research into the causes and prevention
of accidents to children and young adults. The research and
resulting recommendations are being used today in school systems
throughout the nation.
When Central
Missouri State University created its School of Public Services,
Dr. Marshall was selected to MS dean. He again gained national
and international recognition for this innovative methods
for training large numbers of safety professionals. The methods
he helped develop are currently being used to support the
goals and objectives of federal & state highway safety
and occupational & health legislation.
Career
Highlights:
Dr. Marshall has excelled in each of his many assignments,
and his philosophy of safety education and efforts to keep
safety as a high priority in every possible endeavor are recognized
throughout the world. He personally considers his major achievements
to include (1) his work with guidance and which have impacted
millions of the nation's youth, and (2) his leadership as
Dean of the School of Public Services at Central Missouri
State University.
At Central
Missouri State, Dr. Marshall played a dominant role in providing
the research base, the curricula and the resources for training
thousands of safety professionals. His former students occupy
positions of leadership not only throughout this nation but
in many other countries of the world. Dr. Marshall also served
43 years in the United States Naval Reserve, retiring at the
rank of Captain.
