A Message from the President
I hope when you receive this, you are enjoying a restorative time away from your studies or as an adult student, I pray that you will carve out some time to find pleasure in a break at some point during the summer. I want to take this opportunity to share a few observations with you – and the first is that this is a great time to be at Pfeiffer University!
The university rests on a solid foundation, and there is tremendous opportunity for continued growth and development. One area of growth includes expanding our degree offerings. We are excited about the new nursing degree program that will be offered this fall as well as work that is currently taking place to enhance our technology services through expanded and secure wireless connectivity (view the videos below to learn more about these new developments). We know offering programs that are in demand and providing much needed services are important to our students. We also realize the importance of recruiting and retaining the best faculty to keep you, our students, engaged in the process of education. Our provost Dr. Tracy Espy is working diligently with deans and program directors to ensure academic quality.
I hope this summer communication evokes some excitement about the things happening at your university – and more are on the way. I ask that you take the time to review this correspondence to learn more about some of the great things happening here while many of you are away. I also hope that these latest developments will reaffirm your decision to attend Pfeiffer, where we provide the nature to serve and the knowledge to lead. During a campus-wide university address this fall, I will share more about the university’s extraordinary future. In the meantime, we’re glad you’re a part of the Pfeiffer Family! Enjoy the remainder of the summer.
Pfeiffer launches new nursing degree program
Earlier this month, Pfeiffer received official notice from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools approving a new nursing degree program. The new Department of Nursing will offer an undergraduate program leading to the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree. Under the leadership of Dr. Mark McCallum, dean of the School of Natural and Health Sciences, and the newly appointed Chair of the Nursing Department, Dr. Dianne Daniels, the program will welcome its first class in the Fall 2009 semester.
Campus technology update
Campus technology enhanced with gift from Cannon Charitable Trusts
Pfeiffer recently received the first-ever $160,000 gift from the Charles A. Cannon Charitable Trusts; and thanks to this generous gift, the university is well on the way to achieving secure wireless networking services throughout its three main campuses. This technology will greatly enhance the quality of our educational programs and will allow Pfeiffer to take advantage of numerous online curriculum applications, as well as provide access to courseware environments such as virtual classrooms across all campuses.
Pfeiffer’s Information Technology (IT) staff will work toward this goal over the summer, and they hope to have the majority of the work completed by the time classes begin this fall.
Additionally, a help desk has been set up to provide the best technical support service possible. Service requests can be submitted electronically at http://pfeiffer.helpserve.com/ or by phone at extension x 3002 or (704) 463-3002. For more, click here.
Pfeiffer senior selected to receive $5,000 research award
Pfeiffer senior and biology major Kevin Lambirth, of Concord, was among 15 North Carolina college students to receive the competitive grants for life-science research, a program that was unveiled this year by the North Carolina Biotechnology Center. The Undergraduate Research Fellowship Award program brings the number of grant and loan programs administered by the center to 19 to support education, research, commercialization and company development.
University receives million dollar gift from longtime supporter
Pfeiffer has received an unrestricted gift of more than $1 million from the estate of well-respected veteran banker William G. White, who died in December 2008 at age 79. The gift comes at an opportune time for Pfeiffer. In the current economy and with a decreased university endowment, White’s gift is needed now more than ever and helps the university continue to rest on a solid foundation, according to President Ambrose. For more, click here.
Pfeiffer alumna is ‘Sojourner: From North Carolina to South Africa to New York’
Six years after Brittany Brooks' father dropped her off at Pfeiffer for her first year in college, he drove her back again last month. This time, Brooks returned to her alma mater not to pick up her residence hall keys, but to give the keynote address during "Mission Awareness Week" earlier this year.
Since graduating from Pfeiffer in 2007, Brooks has served in South Africa with SHADE (Sojourners: Help, Advocacy, Development, and Education). For more, click here.
Earlier this month, President Ambrose and Dr. Phil Wingeier-Rayo, associate professor of religion, paid a visit to the New York offices of the General Board of Global Ministries (GBGM), where they were able to meet with the General Secretary, the Associate General Secretary, and other GBGM staff members; and they also spent a moment catching up with Brittany Brooks.
Pfeiffer welcomes new faculty and staff
The following faculty members have been hired and will assume their posts for the 2009-10 academic year. We are excited to be bringing on such high-caliber individuals, and we look forward to their contributions to Pfeiffer’s overall academic program.
• Faith Drew – clinic director of the Pfeiffer Institute for Marriage and Family Therapy
BA in Elementary Education, Arizona State University
Master’s in Marriage and Family Therapy, Abilene Christian University
Ph.D., Texas Tech University
Served as EAP therapist for Texas Tech, then Assistant Director. Promoted to associate director in September 2007, managing the Employee Assistance Program, supervising therapists and collaborating with healthcare providers.
• George Bitar – assistant professor, Marriage and Family Therapy
BA in English, Abilene Christian University
Master’s in Marriage and Family Therapy, Abilene Christian University
Ph.D., Texas Tech University
Served as Marriage and Family Therapy Associate at Texas Tech for four years, then Research Coordinator, with most recent position as director of Behavioral Healthcare Services (since August 2007).
• Pearl Wong – assistant professor, Marriage and Family Therapy
BS in Biology, with minor in Psychology, College of Charleston
Educational Specialist Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Converse College
Ph.D., University of Louisiana at Monroe
Served as clinical coordinator at University of Louisiana, then adjunct professor. Most recently held position of Family Therapist/Program coordinator at Center for Children and Families in Monroe, La.
• Almeda Wright – assistant professor of Youth Ministry
BS in Electrical Engineering, with minor in Spanish, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Master’s in Teaching, Simmons College
Master of Divinity, Harvard University Divinity School
Ph.D. candidate, Emory University
• Deborah Lung – assistant professor of Psychology
BS in Special Education, James Madison University
Educational Specialist Degree, Master of Arts and Ph.D. from James Madison University
Currently receiving post-doctorate supervision for licensure in N.C. as a clinical psychologist
Taught as adjunct/part-time faculty for James Madison for four years. Most recently taught at University of South Carolina as part-time psychology faculty.
New Staff
We are pleased to announce that, following a national search, the following individuals have been selected to fill key roles:
• Rev. Dana McKim will join the Pfeiffer community on July 1 as the Minister to the University, filling the vacancy left by Chris Hughes, who has accepted a pastoral appointment with Milford Hills UMC in Salisbury. McKim graduated from Pfeiffer and received his Master of Divinity degree from Duke University. He comes to Pfeiffer from Archdale UMC where he has served as senior pastor since 2002.
• Michael Poll has assumed the position of vice president for enrollment management and marketing. He received his bachelor’s degree from Menlo College, and his master’s degree from San Jose State University. His employment history includes three years as director of admissions at a religiously affiliated private college; two years as dean of admissions and financial aid at a private liberal arts college with an enrollment of approximately 4,100; and, most recently, three years as vice president for graduate and undergraduate enrollment at Chatham University, where they experienced enrollment growth of 45 percent over that three-year period.
• Laura Herrick will become the new director of career services in August. Herrick received her master’s degree from Clemson University and her bachelor’s degree from Trevecca Nazarene University. She has worked in similar capacities at Rowan-Cabarrus Community College, the University of Illinois, and Clemson University. Herrick will guide Pfeiffer students with career development issues and the job search process.
• Rebecca McQueen has been named director of residence life and will begin next month. She received her master’s degree from Appalachian State University and her bachelor’s degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. McQueen has worked previously at Elon University and Meredith College. She will lead our initiatives for enhancing students’ learning and sense of community in the residence halls.
