When Gordon Lamb stepped up to lead the University of Missouri System as interim president in 2007, he said he would not simply warm the chair, but make a difference.

Lamb, who died Monday at age 77, did just that, his peers said.

"Dr. Lamb achieved national recognition as a leader in higher education. The University of Missouri System owes a debt of gratitude for his outstanding service," said Stephen J. Owens, who most recently served as system interim president.

The UM Board of Curators called on Lamb to lead the university system after Elson Floyd resigned. Lamb served until 2008, when former Sprint executive Gary Forsee was hired as president. Forsee resigned last year.

During his yearlong service, Lamb took a public stance announcing his and the university's support for the preservation of academic freedom and research at a time when the state was debating stem cell research.

He also established The Missouri 100, a group of movers and shakers put together to promote the role of the university, and he was instrumental in launching a statewide push that resulted in the Caring for Missourians initiative.

Lamb also briefly held the reins at the University of Missouri-Kansas City as interim chancellor from 1999 to 2000. In the summer of 2010, Lamb took a monthlong post at the University of Central Missouri in Warrensburg to help it through its most recent presidential transition.

Earlier, Lamb was senior vice president for EFL Associates, an executive search firm.

To reach Mara Rose Williams, call 816-234-4419 or send email to mdwilliams@kcstar.com.

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