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Remarks from Dr. Randall Wells

Vice President for Adult and Graduate Studies (AGS)

This year’s recipient of The Adult and Graduate Studies Faculty Member of the Year, is Dr. Ronald K. 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 our highest ranked full professors, Dr. Ron Bolender is one of MVNU’s esteemed faculty members. He meets the criteria for excellence in many important ways, and is highly regarded by his faculty colleagues and clearly loved by his students. Tonight’s recognition, as the Adult and Graduate Studies Faculty Member of the Year, is a declaration of his extraordinary contribution in the AGS organization.

Dr. 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.

Dr. Bolender is completing his 22^nd year at Mount Vernon Nazarene University. He began his career at MVNU in 1978, but he left us in the early 1980s to work in the corporate field. We have been delighted to have Ron back at his alma mater since 1986.

Ron Bolender is a high energy, tireless worker – I’m always amazed that he gets as much done as he does. In my role with Adult and Graduate Studies, I am particularly appreciative of the many efforts Ron has expended in several administrative duties. When I initially considered returning to MVNU over eight years ago, Ron worked closely with me in his assignment as (then) the Executive Director of the Executive Center for Lifelong Learning – providing leadership for the Excell organization. And while I did not return until a year later, Ron’s “initial” leadership and input were instrumental in helping me to make my decision. In recent years Ron has been a major force in MVNU’s efforts to move more toward web enhanced learning, as well as being a strong proponent of on-line course development.

Dr. Bolender has served Mount Vernon Nazarene University in numerous ways. He was “the” Recruitment Counselor for the traditional residential program, the Assistant Director of Recruitment for the institution; Assistant Registrar and Director of Retention; Director of Academic Support Services; Director of Marketing for Excell; Director and Executive Director of Excell and Chairperson of the Division of Non-traditional Education.

Of special significance to this banquet, Dr. Bolender planned and launched the Polaris campus . . . MVNU’s first satellite campus (we now have five such campus locations). Ron started seven (7) BBA cohorts in Year One, and 14 cohorts in Year Two. Ron planned the classroom design which has become the model for all our AGS classrooms. And, he is responsible for introducing the notebook computer to the BBA program.

Additionally, Dr. Bolender has served on the following MVNU committees: Academic Council, Honors Program; Marketing; Student Academic Life; Social Work Education; President’s Advisory Council; Faculty Rank Committee (I think this speaks to how other faculty respect his judgment), and the Task Force to move Mount Vernon Nazarene “College” to Mount Vernon Nazarene “University,” just to name a few.

Not only has he made a difference as an administrator and a faculty leader in the Business Research Project sequence in the BBA program – he is one of our master teachers. Professor Bolender has the distinction of having taught college students of all ages. He began his teaching career at MVNU in 1986 teaching traditional aged undergraduates. For the past eleven years he his devoted his energies to nontraditional “adults,” as well as MVNU’s traditional residential students.

Here is what you, the students of Adult and Graduate Studies, have to say about Dr. Ron Bolender:

Dr. Bolender is an excellent professor. His style and content of instruction is unsurpassed.

Dr. Bolender is kind and considerate yet disciplined and fair. Excellent communicator and educator.

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.

Ron is a professional in every sense of the word. His demeanor demands respect and helps insure 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, or is where they need to be. 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.

Dr. Bolender's strength shows up in his one-on-one discussions (or emails) with students. He is patient and fully listens before replying.”

We admire Ron Bolender for his ability to bring the content, the ideas, and the essence of his vast experience and education “to life” in the classroom. He respects his students and cares that they succeed as they return to the classroom. Dr. Ron Bolender is one of our finest teachers; one of our master facilitators of student learning.

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 adult and graduate programs are regionally and nationally identified among the best.

At Mount Vernon Nazarene University, where we declare our respect and love for the adult student, we honor Dr. Ronald K. Bolender as this year’s recipient of the 2005 “Adult and Graduate Studies Faculty Member of the Year.”