River Cities Business Journal: Education

MCC honors former leaders; School bestows emeritus status on ex-president, vice president

Special to the Journal

KINGMAN - Plaques honoring two departing administrators and proclaiming their status as chancellor emeritus and vice chancellor emeritus were officially unveiled at Mohave Community College's J. Leonard and Grace Neal Campus in Kingman on Oct. 12 following the Board of Governors meeting.

Citing distinguished service during their five-year tenure, Victor Wakimoto, secretary of the MCC Board of Governors, moved and the board voted unanimously at its September meeting, to confer the honorary title upon the two men.

Wakimoto said, “Chancellor Thomas Henry and Vice Chancellor for Administration William Lovejoy have served Mohave Community College with distinction, securing substantial and tangible improvement in all areas of college operation.

“Their leadership has resulted in significant increases in the quality of instruction and the accessibility and affordability of programs offered to the citizens of Mohave County,” he added.

Among the achievements during their service to MCC and the people of Mohave County are the following:

€ Increased enrollment by 32.4 percent over 2001-2002

€ Boosted retentions - 71 percent of MCC's credit students are returning students

€ Established the Continuing Education Division to assist local business industry and government with their management and employee training needs

€ Created the Leisure Studies Division for those wishing to take non-credit courses for personal enrichment.

€ Made attending college more affordable by increasing financial aid disbursements by 583 percent and more than doubling the number of students receiving aid.

€ Improved access to instruction by boosting the distance education division - enrollment in distance education courses increased 300 percent over 2001-2002 figures.

€ Increased dual enrollment by high school students (those taking a college-level class and receiving both high school and college credits) from one section with 26 students to 73 sections with 1,195 students.

€ Increased the percentage of students enrolled full-time from 11 percent to 24 percent

€ Established articulation agreements whereby MCC credits transfer seamlessly to 12 universities.

€ Focused on learner outcomes, enhancing the course packaging, assessment review and process.

€ Created a Career Planning program to assist students in securing rewarding employment and to help employers more easily find highly qualified workers.

€ Launched educational programs in 21 new, high-demand fields of study.

€ Established benchmarks and standards for measuring progress based on key result indicators.

€ Initiated a study to determine what facilities and education programs will be required through the year 2020.

“Being designated an administrator emeritus is an honorary distinction that gives the recipients the privilege of continuing to use their previous professional titles beyond their tenure,” Henry explained. “It is a generous tribute by the board for our having accomplished the goals they set out for us when we took our posts at MCC.”

Henry and Lovejoy advised the board of their intention to retire at the March 2007 governing board meeting. The two will serve through Oct. 31 and on Nov. 1, Dr. Michael Kearns will assume the responsibilities as chancellor and Dr. Lynn Cundiff will take over as vice chancellor for administration.