Lane outlines accomplishments, challenges in Spring General Assembly remarks

Midway through a school year marked by history-making monetary gifts and news-making recognition of its programs, Emporia State University continues its focus on preparing students for fulfilling careers. In remarks delivered at the Spring General Assembly Tuesday, Jan. 22, Dr. Michael R. Lane, president, reviewed accomplishments and unveiled plans to reorganize some administrative functions.

“Strategic planning is progressing well,” said Lane. “The work groups are addressing the critical issues of the future of ESU.” A task force will work this spring on formulating goals and initiatives as part of the strategic planning process, and plans to have the plan in operation this summer.

Lane outlined plans to realign some administrative functions on campus. With the departure of Dr. John Schwenn as Vice President for Academic Affairs at the end of February, Lane plans to create the position of Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs. Within that office will be the Division of Enrollment Management, which will include individuals from ESU’s admissions, financial aid, registrar, advising, graduate programs, off-site and distance education, and international programs.

“This will create a university with one ‘front door’ through which all students enter,” said Lane, noting that the move will help the university make decisions that create a more convenient atmosphere for students.

One university operation, the Office of Lifelong Learning, will undergo a name change. It will be known as Off-site and Distance Education, to better reflect the operation’s focus on distance education.

An eleven-person search committee will review applications for the Provost/Vice President for Academic Affairs position. Until a selection is made, Lane said a former ESU administrator, Dr. Rodney Sobieski, will serve as interim Vice President for Academic Affairs. Sobieski was most recently dean of ESU’s College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Dr. Betsy Yanik has agreed to serve as interim Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs.

“Change is a difficult process,” Lane told the audience of ESU faculty, staff and administrators. “I am moving forward with these changes to accomplish some institutional goals, increased enrollment, increased retention rates, increased graduation rates, increased international enrollment, improved orientation and advising for international students, and increased partnerships.”

The area of partnerships will receive attention from Dr. James Williams. Currently ESU’s Vice President for Student Affairs, Williams will take on new responsibilities as Vice President for Strategic Partnerships and Student Life. Williams will help manage partnerships within the University and with the business community, the region, and other educational institutions.

Reflecting on the year’s achievements to date, Lane noted:

• Eight of the 32 Horizon Awards presented by the Kansas Department of Education to first-year teachers went to ESU graduates this year.
• The George Lucas Foundation selected ESU as one of ten schools of education in the nation with model programs for teacher education.
• The selection this week of Kenna Reeves, instructor of communication, as a Kansas Master Teacher for 2008.
• The ESU Foundation received its largest-ever donation, a $1.8-million bequest from the estate of Martha Kruse Furbur.

Lane also said the selection of a new dean of ESU’s School of Business is progressing. “We hope to conclude this search in February or March,” said Lane of the process to replace Dr. Robert Hite, who plans to return to teaching as a marketing research professor for Emporia State next fall.

Lane took time during his General Assembly remarks to thank Schwenn for his service to Emporia State, and to invite the public to a campus reception in Schwenn’s honor Monday, Feb. 18 from 3-5 p.m. at the Sauder Alumni Center, 1500 Highland Ave.

 

Last Updated February 13, 2008>