ECU Retirements

DR. ANDERSON RETIREMENT

LONGSTANDING ECU VICE PRESIDENT OF ACADEMIC AFFAIRS DR. DUANE ANDERSON RETIREs

Dr. Duane Anderson, the longestserving chief academic officer in Oklahoma, announced his retirement at East Central University’s faculty and staff convocation Thursday, Jan. 8, 2015.

His retirement was effective June 30.

Anderson had been ECU’s vice president for academic affairs since 1994 and provost since 2006. He also served as interim president of the university in 2009 in transition from Dr. Richard Rafes to current President John R. Hargrave.

In 1990, Anderson came to ECU as associate vice president for academic affairs and dean of the School of Graduate Studies. He also taught British history.

Anderson was instrumental in spearheading transfer articulation agreements between ECU and Eastern Oklahoma State College, Murray State College and Seminole State College to help ensure more ease for students in the transfer process from the three twoyear institutions to ECU.

He drove a campaign for the establishment of centennial endowment scholarships in 2009, the 100-year birthday of the institution. The goal was to raise five $15,000 scholarships. But that goal was overwhelmingly exceeded as total of 22 scholarships were created for a total of more than $350,000.

One of the centennial history scholarships is named in honor of Anderson and his wife, Marian.

Anderson’s other major accomplishments, besides providing a smooth leadership transition from Rafes to Hargrave as president, are leading the effort to infuse computer technology in the teaching and learning process, chairing the faculty committee that revised the general education curriculum in 1996, developing the institution’s strategic planning efforts, strengthening and highlighting the importance of graduate programming, establishing an external funding program and overseeing the expansion of funding success.

Anderson oversaw the incorporation of service learning into the curriculum and helped establish various campus-wide programs to retain students and encourage student success.

In addition, the percentage of faculty at ECU holding doctorate degrees has continually increased under Anderson’s leadership.

He previously was director of continuing education at Mesa State College in Grand Junction, Colo., from 1986 to 1990, and held several positions, including dean of community service, at El Reno Junior College (now Redlands Community College) from 1975 to 1986.

Anderson earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of North Dakota and a doctorate in history from the University of Oklahoma.

new V.P. Katricia Pierson

Dr. Katricia Pierson views strong relationships as the key to strengthening current programs and developing new ones. Those efforts have led to a successful run as assistant vice president for academic affairs at ECU since 2011. Now, Pierson takes over as ECU’s provost and vice president for academic affairs, replacing the retiring Dr. Duane Anderson.

“Dr. Pierson has proven to be innovative and proactive in her duties in dealing with students and faculty as assistant vice president for academic affairs,” said ECU President John R. Hargrave. “These qualities, along with her four-year familiarity with the university, certainly enhanced her ability to acquire this position. We look forward to what she will bring to the table in coming years.”

In upholding ECU’s mission to educate students for life in a rapidly changing and culturally diverse society, Pierson has implemented changes such as the establishment of a retention office to work with faculty and students, automation of end-of-course surveys with more than 50 percent being completed online, use of MyECU for online enrollment and, most recently, the availability of a student’s degree audit being available in MyECU.

Pierson has continually reviewed data to determine if a process or policy needs revision. Her focus is on using new information and technologies to become more efficient, to streamline processes, to eliminate redundancies and to be fiscally responsible.

In addition to her assistant vice president for academic affairs duties the past four years, she has served as professor of English and languages in ECU’s College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences.

Pierson earned both her doctorate degree (2004) and master’s degree (1998) in English from the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville and received her bachelor’s degree in English and Journalism Secondary Education from the University of Wyoming in 1988.

DR. WEEMS RETIREMENT

A longstanding fixture in East Central University’s College of Health and Sciences and senior faculty member, Dr. Bruce Weems, retired in December 2014, after 42 years of service to the university.

Weems had served ECU since 1972, first as a physics professor and later Physics Department chair. He had been dean of ECU’s College of Health and Sciences since 1991. His work helped many students, faculty members and department chairs with every aspect of science education during his tenure. “As a dean of the College of Health and Sciences, Dr. Weems set high standards for his fellow deans in managing the affairs of the college,” said Dr. Duane Anderson, retired provost and vice president for Academic Affairs. “Under his leadership, the College of Health and Sciences has secured high levels of external funding and promoted the integration of undergraduate research. His leadership will not be easily replaced. As a professor of physics, Dr. Weems has impacted positively the academic careers of countless students.”

Weems had diligently worked with the Oklahoma State Science and Engineering Fair (OSSEF) since taking over as director in 1982. He helped run the fair with Dr. Don Kellogg before 1982. During his tenure as director until 2006, Weems fought for funding, selected the best regional sites, found volunteers and judges and handled the paperwork. Weems had been known to call every student and give them a chance to turn in their missing paperwork so that they could compete.

He took on the additional job of science fair director because he saw the benefit of students doing research as a way of learning before many recognized the benefit. Many of these science fair students have made significant impacts in science and engineering. Each year, around 300 students attend the Oklahoma State Science and Engineering Fair, and through Weems’ efforts, approximately 7,500 students have experienced the state fair.

“My years of service at ECU have been a true joy. I have had the opportunity to work with and get to know some really great students, faculty members and administrators. Sharing experiences with them over the years has been a blessing,” Weems said.

Just prior to his retirement, Weems was honored for his service to science education in the state as he received the Dr. Jack Renner Award by the Oklahoma Science Teachers Association (OSTA) on Friday, Oct. 31, 2014, at the DunlapCodding Law Firm in Oklahoma City.

“The John Renner Award from OSTA is very special to me. Not only was it recognition for many years of service to science educators and students in this state, but having known Dr. Renner and working closely with ECU faculty which were former graduate students of his, made me feel humble and honored,” said Weems.

new dean Carl Gilbert

East Central University welcomes Dr. Carl Gilbert as its new dean of the College of Health and Sciences.

He replaces longtime dean, Dr. Bruce Weems, who retired in December 2014.

Gilbert had served as the dean of the College of Science at the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor in Texas since 2012.

Prior to that stint, Gilbert was the head of the Department of Biology and the coordinator of the Secondary Science Education Program at the University of Arkansas-Ft. Smith.

He also served as assistant professor of microbiology at the University of LouisianaMonroe and has additional experience as a research specialist at the University of Arkansas-Fayetteville.

Gilbert earned three degrees at the University of Arkansas-Fayetteville – a doctorate of philosophy in molecular biology and microbial physiology, master of science in food safety and microbiology and a bachelor of science in zoology.

In his most recent position at Mary Hardin-Baylor, he was responsible for the Departments of Biology; Chemistry, Environmental Science and Geology; Computer Science and Engineering; Mathematics and Physics; Psychology; Social Work, Sociology and Criminal Justice and Military Science.

Gilbert has published or presented over 15 papers/manuscripts in the last 10 years in which the topics ranged from the discovery of molecular methods of detecting and identifying bacteria in food products to the enhancement of the instruction of biology education in the college classroom.

He has worked with elementary and secondary teachers and provided professional development opportunities for them. Gilbert also leads a National Science Teachers Association review team that evaluates science teacher certification programs around the country.

FACULTY & STAFF RETIREMENTS

Collage’Director Retires

Starting as a part-time instructor in at ECU 1983 and ultimately gaining fulltime status in the Kinesiology Department in 1989, Victoria Dansby has been a fixture among the teaching faculty at ECU.

She retired as a full-time instructor in December 2014, but continued to teach a class in the spring and worked with the ECU Collage’ team as it prepared for its spring festival.

In 2002, the ECU Collage’s presentation of “Ups and Downs” was selected for the ACDA’S GALA Award performance at the University of Texas.

In addition to being part of the ACDA, ECU Collage’ has been a part of the American Alliance of Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (now known as SHAPE America) and has received several awards. The most recent outstanding performance was “Within Me” in 2012, as well as “The Way Within” and “Tomorrow” in 2008 and “Auxillary Expenditures” in 2007. Dr. Nicholas Cheper, professor of biology, joined the faculty in 1980. He earned his B.S. from the University of Notre Dame in 1971, his M.A. from SUNY at Stony Brook in 1974 and his Ph.D. from the University of Tennessee in 1979. Dr. Cheper served as chair of the Biology Department from 1996 to 2015. He demonstrated his commitment to the university through his service on the HLC Steering Committee in preparation for the 2001 and 2011 self-study preparation. He served as a judge for the Oklahoma State Science and Engineering Fairs from 1984 to the present. He also had a long-standing leadership role in the Oklahoma Junior Academy of Science.

Dr. Kevin Davis, professor of English and languages and director of the Writing Center, joined the faculty in 1987. He earned his B.A. and M.A. from Southeast Missouri State University and his Ph.D. from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. Dr. Davis positively impacted ECU students through his work with the Writing Center. He was honored with three Teaching Excellence Awards in 1991, 1996 and 2003. Honors students chose him as Faculty of the Year in 2007.

Ms. Pattie Howell, director of Educational Talent Search, began her employment at ECU in 2004. She earned a B.S. from Oklahoma State University and an Ed.M. in administration, planning and social

FACULTY & STAFF RETIREMENTS

policy from Harvard University. Prior to working at ECU, Howell directed the National American Indian Head Start Training Center at the University of Oklahoma and worked as a consultant to the Child Care Bureau, Head Start Bureau and Corporation for National and Community Service in Washington, DC. She is most proud of the efforts she made in Talent Search and her other positions to encourage students to further their education and achieve success.

Mrs. Evelyn Martin, director of the Educational Opportunity Center, joined the ECU Staff in 1994. She earned her bachelor of arts in 1994 and a master of science in 1996 from ECU. She began her career at ECU as an intern at EOC, a program she has directed for the past 16 years. Her previous positions at ECU include: recruiter for ECU as a graduate assistant; counselor coordinator, Talent Search Program; academic advisor, Upward Bound Math/Science; and counselor coordinator for Upward Bound. Additional work experiences have been: owner of Ashley’s Collections, a ladies and children’s clothing store and Merle Norman Studio; realtor for Evan’s Realty, and owner and general manager of Hot Looks Tanning.

Ms. Linda Newcomer, instructor of nursing, served on the faculty from 2004 to 2008 and from 2009 to 2014. She has a B.S.N. and M.S. from Texas Christian University. Newcomer maintained an active presence and involvement with the international student community. She was an energetic teacher who implemented many creative teaching and learning activities.

Dr. Robert Newcomer, associate professor of cartography and geography, joined the faculty in 2002. He earned his B.A. and M.A. from Texas Christian University and his Ph.D. from the University of Cincinnati. Newcomer demonstrated an active passion and support for cultural events in working with international students and served numerous terms on the Global Education Committee and Faculty Senate.

Dr. Anita Walker, professor of mathematics, served on the faculty from 1983-2015 and was honored with a Teaching Excellence Award three times for 2001-02, 2007-08 and 201314 on the basis of teaching evaluations and supporting letters from current and former students. She spent time as an advisor on various undergraduate research projects for students in the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science while also serving as advisor for the Oklahoma Delta ECU Chapter of Pi Mu Epsilon. Walker was honored as a Hedgehog and Fox Faculty Lecturer in 1998. She graduated summa cum laude from Southern Methodist University in 1978 with a bachelor of science in mathematics and a bachelor of arts in German. Walker obtained a master’s degree in mathematics (1980) and a doctorate in operation theory, nonlinear functional analysis and undergraduate research (1983), both from the University of Oklahoma.

Ms. Bea Waller, Student Counseling Center director, graduated with a bachelor’s of science and master’s of science in education from ECU. She is a licensed professional counselor and has National Counselor and National School Counselor certifications. Waller began her career at ECU in 1981, working for 18 years as an administrative assistant before going into public education in 1999 as a school counselor. She has been a school counselor in elementary, middle school and high school. On Nov. 1, 2007, she returned to ECU and became the director of the university’s first student counseling center.

December 2015 Retirements

Dr. Larry Choate Professor of Biology 1995-2015

Dr. Teresa Rothrock Assistant Professor of English 2003-2015