Mount Vernon resident honored as MVNU AGS Faculty Member of the Year

Dr. Ron Bolender

To be identified as an exemplary faculty member at Mount Vernon Nazarene University demands excellence on a number of essential dimensions. As one of the highest ranked full professors, Bolender is highly regarded by his colleagues and loved by his students. This recognition is a declaration of his extraordinary contribution in the institution.

Bolender completed his Bachelor of Arts in sociology from Mount Vernon Nazarene University, earned the Master of Arts in sociology with a special emphasis in human ecology from the University of Cincinnati and completed his Doctorate in Education with a concentration in higher education from NOVA Southeastern University. He is now completing his 22 nd year at MVNU.

Starting as the recruitment counselor for the traditional residential program, Bolender has served the campus in many roles. These include the assistant director of recruitment, assistant registrar and director of retention, director of academic support services, director of marketing for AGS (then Excell), director and executive director of AGS (then

Excell), and chairperson of the Division of Non-Traditional Education.

"Ron Bolender is a high-energy, tireless worker," said Dr. Randall Wells, vice president for Adult and Graduate Studies. "In recent years, he has been a major force in MVNU's efforts to move toward web-enhanced learning, as well as being a strong proponent of online course development.”

Some of Bolender's special accomplishments include planning and launching MVNU's first satellite campus at Columbus-Polaris, starting seven BBA cohorts in the first year and 14 in the second, designing the classroom which has become the model for all AGS classrooms and introducing the notebook computer to the BBA program. Additionally, he has faithfully served on numerous university committees and task forces.

Though he began his teaching career with traditional undergraduates in 1986, for the past 11 years, Bolender has devoted his energies to non-traditional, adult students in addition to traditional residential students. One adult student commented, "He is willing to help any student and is always available. Expectations are high, but they should be if students are to enter the professional business world and be prepared."

Yet another said, "Dr. Bolender's demeanor demands respect and helps ensure the class stays focused. He does this while maintaining a positive rapport. He checks and re- checks to make sure that everyone in the class understands. He encourages questions, and shares the information so that everyone hears-just in case they have a similar question. I feel fortunate to have him as an instructor."

Concluding the AGS graduation banquet, Dr. Wells said, "Dr. Bolender, thank you for modeling an ideal we hold high. Tonight, you represent many other outstanding Adult and Graduate Studies faculty-many of whom have been identified tonight. The administration, faculty, staff and especially the students, thank you for the many ways you go above and beyond what is required to assure our programs are regionally and nationally identified among the best."