FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
ATHENS, WV August 21, 2001
Concord College Launches 2001-2002 Academic Year
With Enthusiasm
Dr. Dean Turner, vice president and academic dean, welcomed both returning faculty and staff and new faculty and staff to Concord College’s 130th academic year. Almost 200 people were in attendance at the 9:00 a.m. opening ceremonies in the College Center Ballroom for the 2001-2002 academic year.
The dean introduced the following new faculty members:
CHARLES D. AUTREY, Assistant Professor of Accounting, B.S., Concord College; M.B.A., Wake Forest
KARL E. BEAN, Associate Professor of Communication Arts, B.S. East Tennessee State University; M.A., Central Missouri State University
NANCY G. BURTON, Temporary Assistant Professor of Education, A.A. and B.A., Bluefield College; M.A., Marshall University Graduate College
PEERY LEE, Temporary Instructor of Communication Arts, B.A., Concord College, M.S., Texas A&M University/Commerce
CHARLES H. “PETE” LeROY, Associate Professor of Health Education, B.S.E. and M.S.E., Henderson State University; Ed.M., and Ph.D., Oregon State University
MARK H. MONTGOMERY, Temporary Assistant Football Coach/Instructor in Physical Education, B.A., Glenville State College; M.A., Salem International University
O. ROBERTA SALYERS, Assistant Professor of Sociology, B.A., University of Virginia College at Wise, formerly Clinch Valley College of UVA; M.S. and (Ph.D. expected 2001), Mississippi State University
JAMES W. SLATE, Associate Professor of Economics, B.A., Christopher Newport University; Ph.D., The University of Tennessee
JEAN A. WILCOX, Temporary Instructor in English, B.A., Oakland City College; M.A., Virginia Tech
Others who spoke at the opening ceremonies included Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs April Puzzuoli and President Jerry Beasley.
Dr. April Puzzuoli presented the results of the College’s recent assessment efforts required by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. “We used standardized tests in a ‘benchmarking process’—comparing Concord’s students to students from similar institutions nationwide—to measure critical thinking, writing and math. We also looked at student performance in their field. Sixty percent of our students scored at or above the national level in critical thinking and fifty-three percent scored at or above the national average in math skills,” stated Puzzuoli. “Students, in general, were pleased with the knowledge they gained while attending Concord and ninety percent would recommend Concord to other students.”
“Marching Orders”
President Beasley welcomed faculty and staff and complimented the College’s education department on coming through the NCATE review (collegiate accreditation program known for maintaining high education standards) with flying colors.
“Our ‘compact’ is our marching orders for the next five years. It is our collective vision for where we are going.
“We responded well to Senate Bill 547, and we are attractive to prospective students. We are more stable financially, too.
“Here’s what we expect to accomplish in the next five years: modestly higher enrollment standards, a ‘headcount’ of 400 in our graduate programs, more classes offered at ‘non-traditional’ times, continued diversification in our student-body makeup, improved relationships with public schools, offering in-field Master’s programs, meeting the need to improve management of non-profits and responding to the needs in this region for continuing education.
“It will take big resources—some of which we already have—to achieve these goals.
“In Beckley, we have begun to have conversations with Bluefield State College and Marshall University to launch a ‘shared’ educational facility. And, Bluefield State and Concord will begin to reciprocate with credit for classes in Beckley.”
Other faculty and staff changes include:
Classified Employees Hired:
ADAM MISTR, Assistant Athletic Trainer
MICHAEL CRAIGHEAD, Educational Outreach Counselor
LISA SPENCER, Administrative Secretary
BRADLEY POLEN, HVAC Mechanic
Retirements:
MR. LAWRENCE MCGRAW, Accounting
DR. JOHN ELKINS, Chemistry
(December 2001)
MR. DOUGLAS GILMER, Music
(December 2001)
ALMEDA COBURN, Accounting Assistant
Received Masters:
MS. CECILIA FIZER
Received Doctorate:
DR. ANGELIQUE EDWARDS
DR. SUSAN ROBINETT
Promotions:
MR. JAMES JOHNSTON, Associate Professor of Computer Science
MR. KENNETH OSBORNE, Assistant Professor of Physical Education
Temporary to Probationary:
MS. LETHEA SMITH, Education
Returning from Leave of Absence:
MS. CECILIA FIZER
MR. ROB WALLACE
Fellowships:
DR. ELOISE ELLIOTT, WVU
DR. CARSON HOLLOWAY, Olin Foundation
Returning from Sabbaticals:
DR. JOHN C. BAKER
DR. ROGER F. SHEPPARD
MS. GINA M. STURGILL
The College also honored faculty and staff with a dinner Friday evening. Concord President Jerry Beasley announced the recipient of the Bickey Award, which is presented for outstanding service to Concord College. The Bickey Award is a monetary gift of $1,000 from Daniel Bickey, ’72 and Cynthia Bickey ’75. Beryle C. Santon, professor of education, emerita, at Concord College was the recipient.
The President also announced the formation of the George F. Moore Scholarship. Dr. Moore received his Ph.D. in political science from the University of Iowa and worked at the College for 35 years. “I was pleased and honored that my former students and colleagues would want to honor me like this,” stated Dr. Moore. “I have been retired for 14 years—since 1987—so I just assumed that people had forgotten about me! My life here in Athens has been a fairytale life. This has been a wonderful place to work and raise my five daughters.”
The first George F. Moore Scholarship will be awarded at the spring Honor’s Banquet.
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