Nathan Hoven, Rolla High School’s new principal and a 1998 graduate of the University of Missouri-Rolla, knew what he was getting into when he applied for the position to succeed Roger Berkbuegler.
“When I was in college, I loved it here,” Hoven said Friday in his RHS office. “I knew Rolla to be an excellent community, and I haven’t been disappointed.”
As Hoven nears the end of his first quarter as the top administrator at Rolla High School, he is quietly taking notice.
“The situation for me here is different than many,” Hoven said. “When I came here, I came into a situation where things were not broken, they didn’t need fixing.
“I came here following a person who is well-respected. I think it would be unfair for me to come in here and immediately try to institute changes. This is a fine school; I’m watching and listening, and I look forward to continuing that quality education.”
Hoven, 32, who came from Pattonville High School as an assistant principal, follows Berkbuegler who was RHS’ principal for 28 years until his retirement this spring. Immensely popular, Berkbuegler was honored for his years of service from many organizations from the Rolla Police Department, Mayor William S. Jenks, III, to social and fraternal organizations.
“Knowing he (Berkbuegler) had done some great things — great things for kids — my No. 1 concern has been to make it a smooth transition to a new person,” Hoven said.
Hoven assumed his duties on July 1, more than a month before the return of students to the classroom. That time enabled him to familiarize himself with the building and staffers.
“That time definitely gave me a chance to learn the policies and procedures — time to get acclimated,” said Hoven, who has a BS in applied mathematics (UMR) and a master’s degree in secondary education (UM-St. Louis).
Does Hoven see himself following in Berkbuegler’s footsteps, staying for 28 years and, perhaps one day, having his own “Roger Berkbuegler Day” in Rolla.
“Absolutely,” Hoven said when asked whether he can see himself in Rolla for a very long time.
“I like being around the students,” he said. “I like being on the students’ level. I don’t have any long-term plans other than to stay here. I want to stay on the building level. I don’t have any five- or 10-year plan, and I’d like to be here long-term,” said Hoven, who has three children with his wife, Kelly.
Hoven has quick to become a fan of Bulldog sports, having wrestled, played football, baseball and tennis in high school, and attending the Bulldogs’ game in Joplin last weekend.
“It’s a little different here, traveling hours for a football game. That game against Joplin was a tough one, but I’m sure they’ll bounce back,” Hoven said, just hours before the game Friday with West Plains. Hoven was right. The Bulldogs outdistanced the Zizzers, 35-28.
While he enjoys athletics, academics was his focus while at UMR, now Missouri S&T.
“I focused on academics in college, so, no I didn’t play football in college, but I did play a lot of golf. It was sort of the social thing. I must’ve played that UMR Golf Course to death,” Hoven said.
As he wraps up his first quarter at RHS, Hoven is striving to increase the relationship between Rolla High School and the community.
“I want the community and school relationship to be an open one. I’m looking for ways to get our patrons involved at what we’re doing here at Rolla High School,” Hoven said. “There are so many things going on here. I’m looking for ways to get parents, but not just parents, involved in the school.
“I’m looking for people to help guide students as we prepare them here to become adults,” Hoven said.
In closing, Hoven said he is keenly aware of the challenges students face these days to plan their careers while in high school.
“It’s a tough thing. We’re asking students after the eighth grade to begin planning for their life. In many ways we’re asking students to prepare for a career that may not even exist yet. Parents, teachers and the community can help us in ways to help students.”