Betz Ready To Lead NSU Into Its Second Century

Betz Ready To Lead NSU Into Its Second Century

TAHLEQUAH --For Dr. Don Betz, a lifelong journey in the ways of teaching and learning that started 38 years ago in a Seminary Hall classroom has brought him full circle.

On his first day of work July 1, he brings a wealth of knowledge and experience back to the campus where his educational career began, ready to tackle the challenge of guiding Northeastern State University into a second century as the institutions seventeenth president.

In leadership roles at three other higher education institutions, he has maintained a core belief in the importance of lifelong learning, which he describes as a prerequisite for success, in this global, connected century.

Education is one of the investments we make as a society in shaping the community and the world that surrounds us, Dr. Betz said. It is one of the ways we become more adept and successful in addressing the issues we all face.

Dr. Betz promotes commitment to student success and civic responsibility, and as an administrator encourages others to guide students in their quest to become active, well-prepared citizens.

As caring educators, our focus is student success and our responsibility is to offer students the skills and motivation to help shape the future we all share, he said. The greatest service we can provide our students is to prepare them for continuous learning and involvement beyond the classroom.

His track record confirms that Dr. Betz walks the talk, a philosophy he deems critical to building teamwork and collaboration.

Dr. Betz vividly recalls his first day at Northeastern in 1971 as a new assistant professor of Political Science. The student population was roughly 4,000 and classrooms were a mixture of students reflective of societys difficulty and confusing times.

We had traditional 18-year-old freshmen coming out of high school who didn't understand the Vietnam War and returning Vietnam veterans and those of that generation who were asking lots of questions about government policy, he recalled in a 1994 interview. It was an incredibly stimulating time to be in the classroom, and I became very involved in my classes.

From that initial experience in education, he developed a loving for teaching. My involvement in teaching and learning always reminds me why we serve in positions of educational leadership, he said.

And he created a legacy at NSU almost immediately upon his arrival on campus, the benefits of which have been reaped by thousands of Northeastern students spanning nearly four decades.

The two programs that really helped crystallize my connection here were the Model United Nations program, which I had a chance to establish in 1972, and the Presidents Leadership Class, which I advised starting in 1976, he recalled.

Today, the PLC Scholarship program continues to reward select incoming freshmen with outstanding leadership and academic credentials, and Model United Nations is a nationally recognized program.

In 1978, Dr. Betz was asked by newly appointed President W. Roger Webb (president of the University of Central Oklahoma since 1997) to head the NSU Foundation, a post he held until 1980.

And there were other initiatives that grew in strength to impact thousands of student lives and benefit the communities NSU serves. In 1972, Dr. Betz co-founded NSUs American Indian Studies Program, which led to initiating the Center for Tribal Studies in 1989. He founded the NSU Sequoyah Institute in 1986 and served eight years as director. In between those initiatives, he spearheaded the legendary Renaissance 80 Festival and the Kaleidoscope Festivals, celebrations of NSU which continued into the 1990s.

Widely regarded as turning points in NSUs recognition of our own unique programs and rich cultural background, these events share elements of the Universitys Centennial Celebration, which launches in August 2008. Like Renaissance and Kaleidoscope, Centennial offers the opportunity for staff and faculty university-wide to network and take part in showcasing the Universitys strengths and successes.

The NSU Centennial is a unique moment for this historic and distinguished institution, Betz noted. This is the right time to gather together and to build the institutions capacities to help Oklahomans realize their dreams and to stimulate the vitality of Oklahoma in this global century.

During his first tenure at NSU, Dr. Betz served as Vice President for University Relations and Dean of Continuing Studies, in addition to Director of the Sequoyah Institute, Executive Director of the Educational Foundation, and Professor of Political Science. In 1994, he left Northeastern to accept the position of Vice President for Academic Affairs at Palmer College of Chiropractic and Chief Academic Officer for the Palmer Chiropractic University System. Five years later, he returned to Oklahoma to become Vice President for Academic Affairs and Professor of Political Science at the University of Central Oklahoma, and was serving as Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs when he accepted the role of Chancellor at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls.

Beyond his work in academia and in conjunction with his passion for public service and collaborative effort is Dr. Betzs role as a leader in the international community. From 1982 through 2003, he worked for and with the United Nations on Middle East issues. He created and chaired the International Coordinating Committee on the Question of Palestine (ICCP), a UN-affiliated non-governmental organization (NGO) network pursuing peace in the Middle East based on UN resolutions. His extensive international experience includes service with the University of Pittsburghs Semester-at-Sea, Chapman Colleges World Campus Afloat, and journalistic experience in the Middle East.

Dr. Betz has authored articles and papers on the topics of international affairs, higher education, and leadership and his expertise has earned him numerous awards. He is a frequent writer and speaker, and he has worked extensively with newspapers, radio and television throughout the world. Betzs lifelong interest in global issues and his passion for promoting cross-cultural understanding has led him to more than 80 countries, and his work can be found as final declarations, statements, and communiqus throughout United Nations documents.

His educational career began at the University of San Francisco, where he received a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Philosophy. He earned his Ph. D. in International Studies at the University of Denver in May 1973, where he also graduated with a Master of Arts in 1969. In addition, he has completed NDFL Summer Programs in Arabic language and culture at the University of California and New York University.

Returning to NSU with rich experiences to share with a new generation of students is in some ways like returning to his own alma mater.

I spent many years here, so for Susanne and me this is like coming home, he remarked. I look forward to the days ahead as I get to know more of the faculty and staff and we forge new ground together in our partnership to educate students.

7/1/2008

Published: 2008-07-01 00:00:00