dearfriends
Imagine a community of young scholars
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n August 2000, Northwest launched a cuttingedge new program, the Missouri Academy of Science, Mathematics and Computing, and its home would be on the Northwest campus. The mission was simple: attract and educate highachieving high school sophomores who excelled in the areas of mathematics and science who had aspirations of working in the science, technology, engineering or mathematics fields. Today the program is one of only eight early-entrance-to-college residential programs in the country. Students attend the Missouri Academy for two years, replacing their junior and senior years of traditional high school. While at the Missouri Academy, students are enrolled in a curriculum consisting of all college coursework taught by Northwest professors, and upon successful completion, they earn an associate degree as well as a high school diploma. While there was some early doubt and speculation, most of it quickly vanished. In fact, the segue into the Northwest family was a smooth one. Faculty and staff worked tirelessly to turn the vision into a reality. This living and learning community has been exhilarating, and I will confess that it has somewhat spoiled me. One of the most exciting experiences for an educator is to be placed in an environment with high achievers. The energy and the intensity of thought often fuel very engaging discussions and lead to some interesting epiphanies, with both the teacher and the student learning together. Often the sheer brilliance of these students leaves you both breathless and awe-stricken. We have seen what a perfect score on the ACT looks like, and their prowess in the Northwest Foundation Inc. ’10-’11 Board of Directors President Dan Runde ’81, Platte City Vice President Holly Murphy-Barstow ’81, Omaha, Neb. Immediate Past President Mike Faust ’74, Omaha, Neb. Board Members Virgil Albertini, Fairway, Kan. Mary Asbell ’69, Lubbock, Texas John Baker, Maryville
Jeff Borchardt ’82, Olathe, Kan. Bill Brown ’63, Platte City Betty Bush ’60, Maryville Rick Carter, Maryville Terry Day ’65, Kansas City Mark Doll ’80, West Des Moines, Iowa Toni Espey ’83, Parkland, Fla. Jason Garst ’93, Watson Bill Hedge ’74, ’77, ’89, St. Joseph Ray Hischke ’66, The Woodlands, Texas Arnold Johnson ’77, Houston, Texas
classroom has become well known. As a University, we boast that the instruction being received in the classrooms of Northwest helps prepare students to be successful at any higher education institution in the country. While it’s obvious that our students are unique, I declare that they are extra normal. They rock their MP3 players, they support the Bearcats, they adore Facebook and they “LOL” often. Through these students, we are able to see IQ in a whole different light. Simply put, the students have been nothing short of incredible. They have come from all parts of Missouri. Some have even ventured from as far as California, Maryland, South Korea, China and Panama. I am proud and yet amazed by some of the things that our alumni are doing. Years ago, former dean Russ Pinizzotto redefined IQ as integrity and quality. The concept was a commitment to produce work and results that would guide our graduates as they contributed to society in ethical and meaningful ways. The Missouri Academy has graduated 399 students from the program, and they are making their mark everywhere they go. The difference they make today may be what saves tomorrow.
Robert Bryant has been part of the Missouri Academy staff since the early-entrance-to-college residential program’s inception at Northwest in 2000.
Sincerely,
Neil Neumeyer ’98, Kansas City Kenny Petersen ’66, Omaha, Neb. William C. Price ’60, Cincinnati, Ohio Juan Rangel ’91, Kansas City Jim Redd ’66, Leawood, Kan. Paul Schieber ’81, Overland Park, Kan. Owen Straub ’86, Kansas City Kay Thomas ’71, Kansas City Gary Thompson ’76, Avon, Conn. Dick Thomson, Maryville
Robert S. Bryant Jr. Director of Enrollment Missouri Academy Deb Tripp ’92, ’96, Carrollton, Texas Jason White ’91, Maryville Ex-Officio Directors Dean L. Hubbard, President Emeritus, Kansas City John Jasinski, University President B.D. Owens ’59, President Emeritus, West Des Moines, Iowa Northwest Foundation Staff Neil Elliott, Development Officer/Athletics neile@nwmissouri.edu
Teresa Gustafson ’97, ’05, Director of Strategic Donor Development and Development Officer/College of Arts and Sciences/ KXCV/KRNW teresa@nwmissouri.edu
Polly Parsons Howard ’00, ’09, Development Officer/Booth College of Business and Professional Studies/IIC pollyh@nwmissouri.edu
Laurie Drummond Long ’92, Development Officer/College of Education and Human Services/Scholarships laurie@nwmissouri.edu
One of the most “exciting experiences for an educator is to be placed in an environment with high achievers. … Often the sheer brilliance of these students leaves you both breathless and awe-stricken.
”
Robert Bryant
Peggy Purdy, Accounting Specialist ppurdy@nwmissouri.edu
Lynn Ruhl, Executive Assistant lruhl@nwmissouri.edu
Lori McLemore Steiner ’85, Finance Officer steiner@nwmissouri.edu
Anna Bradshaw Summa ’01, Database Specialist summa@nwmissouri.edu
Steve Sutton ’71, Director of Alumni Relations ssutton@nwmissouri.edu
Brenda Untiedt ’00, ’09, Alumni Relations Specialist brenda@nwmissouri.edu
NORTHWEST ALUMNI MAGAZINE
SPRING 2011
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