Spring Outstanding Faculty Awards

Connie Armour was announced as the recipient of the 2007-08 Outstanding Faculty Service Award in Business and Management at the Wichita Spring Faculty meeting.  Connie began her career with Baker University in 1998, not as a faculty member, but as a student in MBA 65. She received her undergraduate degree in Mathematics with a minor in Physics from Creighton University. Since joining Baker University as a faculty member in 2005, she has taught in all of our Business programs from the BAC to the MBA, from College Algebra to Business Statistics.  Connie arrives one hour prior to class and conducts tutoring sessions, as well as conducting the Math Basic Training workshops for students on Friday evenings and Saturday mornings. Connie was able to convince one student that “Algebra is your friend.” During the day Connie teaches at the Clearwater High School, St. Peter’s Catholic school, and is the mother of 10.

This year’s recipient of the Robert Campbell Award for Outstanding Faculty Service in Business and Management is David Elder, who joined Baker-SPGS in 2004.  David teaches MBA courses at OP and, when asked, at other Baker-SPGS sites, serves on the Faculty Development and Evaluation Committee, frequently attends Baker-SPGS conferences and workshops, and was recently published in the Journal for Quality and Participation.  David’s students praise him for his knowledge, use of real world examples, enthusiasm, excellent rapport with them, and variety of instructional methods. David received the award at the Baker-SPGS Spring Faculty Meeting. 

This year’s recipient of the Brad Willis Outstand Faculty Service Award in Liberal Arts for 2008 is Dick Sumpter, who joined Baker-SPGS in 1989.  Dick’s first Baker class was also a first for Baker and for many students.  The class he taught that night was BBA01.  Dick has served on numerous Baker committee’s and teams, including the peer coaching team, the MLA review team, and the critical thinking workshop.   He rarely misses a faculty meeting or a faculty development opportunity.  The comment most often made from Dick’s students is simply that Dick’s class changed their life. He creates an instructional atmosphere that encourages student participation and makes learning fun. Dick Sumpter is a truly gifted instructor.

These faculty received their awards at the Baker-SPGS Spring Faculty Meeting

Faculty present awards at convention

Baker University recently served as hosts at the hospitality room at the annual convention of the Kansas United School Administrators Association in Wichita. The room was staffed by the entire faculty of the School of Education graduate department. Baker faculty discussed Baker's degree programs for teacher and administrator preparation. Visitors to the Baker suite included superintendents, district administrators and building administrators. Several Baker alumni were also greeted during the day. Periodic drawings were held to award a 512 MG flash drive emblazoned with the Baker logo and programmed to direct the user to the BU website.

Winners were: Bob Albers, superintendent, Basehor-Linwood; Clint Corby, principal, Haviland schools; Sharon Hoch, director, Greenbush; Herb McPherson, principal, Skyline High School; W. Matthew Meek, principal, Paola Middle School; Darren Shupe, principal, Oskaloosa Elementary School; and Richard Thompson, Principal, Skyline Elementary School.

New Facilities at Baker University

Overland Park
Baker University has moved into a 30,000-square foot facility at 7301 College Boulevard on the corner of College and Metcalf Avenue in Overland Park. Committed to accommodating the growth in the KC metro area, the new Baker University facility has 25 classrooms and has introduced new programs in Conflict Management Dispute Resolution and an online MBA.

Topeka
Baker University has moved into a new 10,000 square foot facility located at 2641 SW Wanamaker Road. This facility houses 10 classrooms. Topeka has expanded its offerings to include the Master of Arts in School Leadership (MASL) and online MBA programs, with plans to introduce a Master of Arts in Conflict Management Dispute Resolution in the future.

First cohort close to Doctor of Education degree

The first cohort of candidates for the Doctor of Education degree in the School of Education is nearing the end of coursework. The group began its program of classes in January 2006, and will finish in November 2007. Twenty-four candidates are in various stages of work in the dissertation phase of the program with several planning to graduate in May 2008. The second cohort has passed the midway point and will complete coursework in June 2008. The third cohort is finishing its first course. The process for selecting a fourth cohort to begin in January 2008 is under way.

Graduate department to add 60th cohort

The SPGS/SOE graduate department is ready to add its 60th cohort to the Master of Arts in Education degree program. Since its beginning in 1996, the program has offered teachers a chance to increase their teaching skills while earning a graduate degree with the convenience of a meeting site close to home. Cohorts are established when a group is brought together and qualified instructors are engaged from the surrounding area. SPGS/SOE provides support through Student services and academic advising.

Enrollment Reaches All Time High

Bolstered by increased numbers at all of its campuses, Baker University’s overall enrollment reached a record-high 3,959 students, according to 20th day enrollment figures released today.

At the Baldwin City campus, enrollment for the College of Arts and Sciences, which includes undergraduate students in the School of Education, was at 942 students. The figure includes 303 new students — 251 freshmen and 52 transfers.

The School of Professional and Graduate Studies, including School of Education graduate students, based in Overland Park, reported an enrollment of 2,862.

The School of Nursing at Stormont-Vail HealthCare in Topeka is operating at a maximum capacity of 155 students this fall.

Baker grad leads GoodYear plant

As the oldest of four sons in a close-knit family, Billy Taylor, MBA ’06, was a natural-born leader.
After his siblings stopped tagging along with their big brother in their neighborhood in Fort Worth, Texas, Taylor thrived on his own. He confidently became comfortable in leadership roles as a crew chief at a grocery store and a team captain in sports.

Taylor is now a leader of a much bigger group. Since mid-December he has been plant manager of Goodyear’s North American tire plant in Lawton, Okla. The plant, which specializes in high-performance tires and has a workforce of 2,700 employees, is the largest single producer of tires in the world, turning out 65,000 tires a day.

“I have always wanted to be in the forefront,” Taylor said. “I think that came from being the first son in our family. My brothers followed my lead and they all went to Prairie View A&M University after me.”

Taylor joined Goodyear in 1989 at the Freeport, Ill., plant, where he held several production management positions, including area manager, production specialist, manufacturing team leader and business center manager.

The Baker experience has been positive for Taylor, who lives in Lawton with his wife, Rachel, and two children, Alexis, 11, and Alexander, 6. “I evaluated several programs before making my decision,” Taylor said. “I had the opportunity to monitor some classrooms in Topeka. I thought it was the best choice for me from an educational standpoint and practical standpoint. They present information in a way that you absorb and retain it. At Goodyear I’ve had to have extensive understanding of financials, how they work and interconnect. I was able to go back to what I learned in class and apply it immediately. It’s been a wonderful and prosperous experience.”

Flourishing in management his entire professional career is due to more than crunching numbers. Taylor credits much of his success to relating to co-workers.

“You must have integrity when you’re dealing with people,” he said. “You have to live up to your word as a leader, establish clear expectations of an objective and what you’re trying to accomplish.”

Pete Stobie, assistant dean of administration at the School of Professional and Graduate Studies, worked closely with Taylor in a managerial finance and executive leadership course. Taylor’s management background benefited Stobie’s class.“Billy made our class better because of his experiences,” Stobie said. “Our program is about real-life work experience.”

In keeping with his desire for professional growth, Taylor someday hopes to pursue a career in international business.
“The world is moving to globalization and I think I need that tool, a better understanding of globalization and how international businesses function,” he said. “Baker has provided me with the tools that are very much needed to achieve my personal and professional goals.”

Graduates honored as Teachers of the Year

Baker University is pleased to note that Josh Anderson, the 2007 Kansas Teacher of the Year, is a graduate of the Master of Arts in School Leadership program. He teaches at Olathe Northwest High School. Ruth Gharst Waggoner, a candidate in the Doctor of Education program, served as the 2003 Kansas Teacher of the Year. She is principal of Heatherstone Elementary School in Olathe. Brett Potts , also a doctoral candidate, served as the 2005 Kansas Teacher of the Year. He is assistant principal of Blue Valley High School.