NSU holds fall 2011 opening meeting

Saying he feels as if he has returned home, Dr. Martin Tadlock outlined future challenges during Northeastern State Universitys fall 2011 opening meeting.

One such major challenge is preparing for the upcoming Higher Learning Commission accreditation. However, NSU President Tadlock spoke confidently about the faculty, staff and students preparation for the March 2012 visit.

Dr. Mike Wilds, professor of criminal justice at NSUBA, and Denise Deason Toyne, associate professor of business law, each spoke briefly on the universitys efforts to renew accreditation through HLC. The HLC is an independent corporation and one of two commission members of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, which is one of six regional institutional accrediting bodies in the U.S. The HLC accredits, and thereby grants membership in the commission and the NCA.

NSU is an exceptional place, said Tadlock, who assumed the post August 1 in place of Dr. Don Betz. This is my sixth university and my 30th year in higher education and I have never been to a place that gets in your blood, gets in your soul and your system.

Partnership and safety were also major themes during the Wednesday, August 10 gathering in the recently renovated Center for Performing Arts.

Patti Buhl, chief of the Department of Public Safety and Campus Police, discussed a newly installed emergency alert system for Blackboard and a Personal Guardian application for smartphones which soon will be operational. The new opt-in Blackboard feature allows campus police to call, e-mail or text alerts concerning weather or other emergencies. The free smartphone app, if activated by a user, can call campus dispatch and track the location of the phone.

Remarking that NSU was not an island, Tadlock said the success of the institution was not dependent on the actions or decisions of the president, the cabinet or other administrators.

It takes all of us working together to meet the needs of the people who come here to improve their lives and better their situations, he said. We are a regional university of and for the people of eastern Oklahoma. We will be the first-choice institution for people in eastern Oklahoma who want to go to college.

Tadlocks address discussed the state of NSU as well as priorities for the 2011-12 academic year. He spoke on a personal level regarding his rural roots in Rockingham, N.C. and his journey to NSU.

The annual Model the Way awards were also presented. Faculty winners were Dr. Stephan Sargent, associate professor of curriculum and instruction at NSU-Broken Arrow, and Dr. Anne Watson, assistant professor of music. Staff recipients were Sue Catron, director of business affairs, and Jamie Stocks, coordinator of micro-computing for instructional support services.

The meeting opened with a donation from Tulsa Teacher Credit Union to NSU for $3,048.88. Through TTCUs School Pride program, the credit union makes a donation each time an NSU employee conducts a transaction with an NSU Visa Check Card.

Laura Boren, dean of student affairs, spoke about faculty studying abroad during the summer and NSUs community service in the wake of the Joplin, Mo., tornado.

Donna Agee, coordinator of student disability services, further elaborated about the Joplin effort. The NSU community filled a truck with donations in its Stuff the Truck for Joplin drive and turned in more than 900 volunteer hours assisting with cleanup and aid.

Summaries of the faculty study trips through the International Faculty Development Program were provided by Dr. Amy Aldridge Sanford, assistant professor of communication studies. Aldridge and Dr. Dilene Crockett visited Jordan, Dr. Bea Keller-Dupree traveled to Spain and Morocco, Dr. Jennifer Edwards studied in Northern Ireland and Wilds visited Thailand.

Mark Kinders, vice president for university relations, summarized the successful work of the NSU Foundation. In 2010, a total of 2,299 donors made 5,938 contributions to the NSU Foundation amounting to $1,606,270. Scholarship funds distributed to students also reached an historic high at $502,782 making 2010 the first year NSU distributed more than $500,000 in scholarships.

Construction and renovation projects continue on campus, and TIm Foutch, vice president for operations, said ground should be broken on a new event center during the fall 2011 term and that a health and wellness center is a priority. Construction continues on the Fine Arts Green Center between the CPA and Seminary Hall.

A page including video of the opening meeting and the Prezi slideshow can be viewed at goNSU. The link to goNSU is available in the top right hand corner of any NSU Web site, or visit goNSU.