New Faculty

NEW FACULTY New students began the 2001-2002 academic year along with an unusually large group of new faculty, the result of several retirements and other assignment changes. New faculty members include (clockwise, beginning at upper left):
. Karen Schoenebeck, assistant professor of accounting, CPA, MBA-University of Minnesota.
. Brian Stone, associate professor of education, Ph.D.-Ball State University. (Stone will direct the special education program.)
. Marguerite Regan, assistant professor of English, Ph.D.-University of Arkansas.
. James (Jay) Nolan, assistant professor of psychology, Ph.D.-University of Nevada.
. Marsha Granberry, assistant professor of education, M.M.E.-Wichita State University.
. Eugenia Oi-Yan Yau, assistant professor of music, D.M.A.-University of Texas-Austin.
. Carroll Mann, visiting assistant professor of biology, Ph.D.-University of Alabama.
. Wendy Dackson, visiting assistant professor of religious studies, Ph.D.-Marquette University.
. Barbara Corvette, assistant professor of business, Ph.D.-Fielding Institute, J.D., The George Washington University.
. Jason Coy, assistant professor of history, Ph.D.-University of California-Los Angeles.
Not pictured is K.P.S. Bhaskara Rao, associate professor of mathematics, Ph.D.-Indian Statistical Institute

North Central Approves Miximum Accreditation

The Higher Learning Commission/North Central Association has approved Southwestern College for the maximum continued accreditation, 10 years, based on an intensive review that involved all college constituencies.

Although word of the accreditation was informally given following the February visit of an accrediting team, formal notification of the decision was not given until after review by the NCA's Institutional Action Council at its June 18 meeting. Nevertheless, internal constituencies have been excited by the positive outcome.

"The outcome has enduring importance, and ought to be remembered, appreciated, and celebrated," President Dick Merriman told the campus when first word of the report had been received.

The accreditation team, which included five faculty members and administrators from colleges and universities in the Midwest, spent three days at Southwestern's sites in Winfield and Wichita. Their in-person visit and examination of a voluminous self-study report organized by Dean David Nichols led to the initial report, which outlined two conclusions:
. The visiting team recommended to NCA that Southwestern's accreditation be extended for 10 years. This is the maximum extension of accreditation that NCA can grant, and is "a strong endorsement of the quality of Southwestern's educational program," Merriman said.
. The team also recommended approval of the college's proposal to begin offering degrees through online study. This recommendation was in the final report, with the stipulation that only degrees offered in in- class settings could be transferred to the online format.

The team's report outlined 10 special strengths of the college, pointing to such qualities as the loyalty and enthusiasm for the college from its constituents; trust in the goals and directions of the college; the professional studies program; willingness of the faculty to be innovative; inclusive planning process; new facilities; the integrative studies program; and college/community relationships.

The team did express concern about the college's annual operating budget, and pointed out that the plan to reduce draw on the endowment will include controlling expenses, lowering the tuition discount rate, and increasing gross revenues. The final NCA report states that a monitoring report will be required in late 2003.

In addition, points of advice included suggestions for continuous improvement of the college, including continued emphasis on diversity; increasing rigor in courses; more faculty development opportunities, and other points of improvement.

For more information on the Higher Learning Commission/North Central Association, visit the group's Web site at www.ncahigherlearningcommission.org.

 

Hall of Fame Honor Scientists

Southwestern's distinguished history in natural science education will be in focus during Homecoming 2001 when the new Natural Science Hall of Fame is initiated.

The inaugural induction ceremony is set for Friday, Oct. 19. A ribbon-cutting of the hall of fame display in Beech Science Center will be at 4:30 p.m., with induction at 8 p.m. in the student center. Honored will be:
. Lloyd M. Bertholf '21, president emeritus of Illinois Wesleyan University.
. Etcyl H. Blair '47, research chemist with Dow Chemical specializing in the synthesis of organo- phosphorus compounds.
. Hobart Paul Boles '39, noted expert in entomology.
. Sven Ebbesson '57, recognized for his work in comparative neurology and epidemiology of Alaska Natives.
. Neil L. Frank '53, director of the National Hurri- cane Center from 1974 to 1987.
. Asher D. Kantz '43, co-founder of Far West Technology Inc., a nuclear physics and radiation chemistry company.
. Lewis G. Longsworth '25, noted for perfecting electrophoresis.
. John Lawrence Oncley '29, credited with pioneer- ing blood research involving gamma-globulins and lipoproteins.
. R. Stephen White '42, leading physics researcher whose work in space physics included co-discovery of the protons in the Earth's radiation belts.
. Wayne E. White '27, leading researcher in fluorine chemistry who developed methods for commercial production of stannous fluoride and sodium monofluorophosphate.

 

More Builders Than Ever

It isn't official yet, but the total number of students enrolled at Southwestern College may be the highest in the last 25 years.

Although numbers aren't considered final until the 20th day of classes (Sept. 18, after press time for The Southwesterner), by the end of August more than 1,200 persons were enrolled in classes either on the main campus, in professional studies courses, or online.

This compares to a final, official count of 1,143 for the fall of 2000.

 

Year opens with new look in student life

The new academic year began with a reorganized student life staff, now under the direction of acting dean of students Dawn Pleas-Bailey. Pleas-Bailey, who is in her eighth year at Southwestern College, was promoted to the spot with the resignation of Bruce Story during the spring.

In addition, Tami Pullins was promoted to associate dean of students.

"Tami has done a great job as director of housing, and will continue to have those duties, but this new title more accurately reflects the leadership role Tami has in the student life area," Pleas-Bailey explains.

Martin Rude will continue to be director of campus life; Kevin Wallace, new director of safety and security, and Melodee Voth, director of student support services, round out the staff. JoPat Dolsen is serving as special projects manager.

 

Anywhere, Anytime Education: SC goes online

Southwestern College is the first college in south central Kansas to offer bachelor's degree completion with all coursework available online. Complete majors in business administration and pastoral studies are now available to students in SC's online program.

The online offering became possible when the regional accrediting agency for higher education, The Higher Learning Commission/North Central Association, granted approval for the program in July (see related story).

Online courses are taught in eight-week sessions by faculty members who also teach the same classroom courses at Southwestern College's two professional studies locations in Wichita.

"Online education is becoming the non-traditional format of choice, allowing people to learn when and where it fits into their schedules-even if that's at 1 a.m.," says Karen Pedersen, Southwestern's vice president for professional studies. "Online technology lets you have virtual discussions with other learners and instructors, you can check Internet links established by the instructor, and you can submit assignments right online. Even if you're not face-to-face, you still feel personally engaged in the learning process."

Each course consists of readings and online discussions via the Southwestern College Web site. All the prospective student needs is access to e-mail and a modem speed of at least 56K.

The college has purposely designed the program to be largely text-based-without extensive graphics that require high-speed modems for download-since many online students are in rural areas that do not have high-speed Internet access. This is particularly true for pastoral studies students, many of whom are rural pastors or lay people whose responsibilities to their local congregation often prevent them from traveling to attend classroom courses. The pastoral studies major is designed to be applicable to all Christian denominations.

"Online education is one of the fastest-growing trends in higher education," said Southwestern College President Dick Merriman. "For the past nine months, Southwestern College has been offering select undergraduate courses online, and we've seen interest in online education grow exponentially. That trend prompted us to expand our online courses to meet the demand for full degrees online."

To qualify for either of Southwestern College's online degrees, students must have at least 48 hours of college credit. For more information call (888) 684-5335, ext. 112, or e-mail online@sckans.edu.