August 17, 2001
The Hesston College Board of
Overseers held their summer meetings in Kidron, Ohio, July 19-21.
During the weekend the board endorsed the five overarching strategies
recommended by the college's Executive Council and held further discussion
on the transition in governance that will come with the formation
of Mennonite Church USA.
The Education Integration Committee
will continue to serve as a guide in the transition process from Mennonite
Board of Education to Mennonite Education Agency. A search is underway
for the first executive director of the MEA. The office begins operation
on February 1, 2002.
President Loren Swartzendruber
informed board members on the submission of the visiting reaccredidation
team's report in March to the North Central Association office and
the commission will act on the recommendation of a readers panel later
this summer. Additional items from the president included that the
annual fund contributed income surpassed the $1 million mark for the
fourth straight year; total contributions for the year reached $4,086,865;
alumnus Tony Brown's decision to stay at Hesston as artist-in-residence
and sociology faculty indefinitely.
A major part of the board session
was discussion on strategic planning. The five overarching strategies
approved by the board include: Position Hesston College to be the
college of choice for the educational needs of its constituency; implement
innovative student-centered learning programs; provide an environment
conducive to effective teaching, learning and service; provide the
resources needed to support the strategies required to fulfill the
mission; create an environment which supports, respects and celebrates
racial and ethnic diversity for the intellectual and cultural enrichment
and well-being of the campus community.
The next step of the rolling strategic
planning process includes review and processing of the goals by college
departments as each one develops action steps to determine and carry
out its team's involvement and contribution to the overall plan. The
Board of Overseers approved the five strategies and the next steps.
In the Planning and Resources
committee report, given by committee chair Wayne Roth, the board authorized
the college's Leadership Council to establish a committee to study
the salary/benefit structure. The committee will include Wendell Sauder,
executive vice president for planning and resources; one faculty and
one staff member; at least one outside human resources professional
and one board member with the goal to submit to the board a recommendation
in November. He also reported on the 2000-01 financial report, MBE
endowment report, capital reports for the campaign, equipment and
renewal projects, the purchase of a residential property on Main Street
next to the college, bequest transfers, 2001-02 preliminary budget
proposal and salary study proposal.
Dan Johnston, chair of the academic
planning committee, reported on the new faculty and staff to join
Hesston College this fall. The list includes Tony Brown, Sylvia Jantz,
Wally Jantz, Doug Maury, Rich Preheim, Matt Schloneger, Arnie Sharp,
and two faculty members returning from academic leaves of absence--Tami
Keim and Dwight Roth.
Deb Whetzel, chair of the Advancement
Planning committee, reported that the Admissions Department received
recognition for "personalized print" to prospective students in the
national publication Admissions Marketing Report. Year-end reports
show that annual fund contributions came very close to the total with
$1,307,874 towards a goal of $1,309,000. Total gift receipts, $4,086,865
for the year are the second highest in the college's history.
Tim Burkholder, president of Mennonite
Board of Education, presented plaques to Wayne Roth and Dan Johnston
for eight years of service and counsel on the board. The board welcomes
new member Dr. Norm Yoder from Henderson, Neb. Yoder is superintendent
of Heartland Community Schools (Neb.) and former instructor at Iowa
Mennonite School. He received an associate's degree from Hesston College
and a bachelor's degree from Texas A & I. He also received a Ph.D.
from the University of Iowa.