New Vice President for Information Technology
Doane selected Michael Carpenter to head the Office of Information Technology Services. As vice president, Carpenter oversees technology staff and all operations of the office. He brings a strong background in computer data services and managing software development. Carpenter was most recently employed as vice president of IT by National Research Corporation. His experience spans several industries as he served in IT leadership roles at Acton International Ltd., Compaq Inc. and Inacom Corporation. He is a Gulf War veteran and worked for the Department of Defense. A graduate of Doane, Carpenter earned a bachelor's degree in industrial management. During his interim appointment, Carpenter helped expand wireless connectivity in residence halls, coordinated the move of equipment and services into a new data center and updated the campus technology help desk. "My goal is to implement IT strategies that will enable an exciting learning environment and enhance the lives of our students, faculty and staff," said Carpenter.
New Perkins Library Staff
Donna Jurena, director of the Perkins Library, recently made two new appointments. In October, Jayne Germer joined the staff as Collection Development Librarian. An '82 Doane graduate, she also holds her master's degree in Library Science from Emporia State University. Most recently, Germer spent 17 years at Cloud County Community College doing teaching, maintaining electronic sources and collection development.
In December, Janet Jeffries became the Public Services Librarian/College Historian. Jeffries herself has a long history at Doane serving in many key positions, including most recently as the Director of Campus Events. Jeffries is curator of the Crete Heritage Society, former historian/architectural historian with the Nebraska State Historical Society, and has had experience working at the Newberry Library in Chicago. She holds a master's in history and has taught courses in Nebraska Heritage Studies and Museum Studies at Doane. Her work in college archives and special collections will continue.
Board of Trustees Update
Paul Schelstraete '70 of Crete was appointed to the college's Board of Trustees in May. Schelstraete earned a Bachelor of Arts in English from Doane and then went on to earn his Doctor of Jurisprudence from Creighton University. In 1989, Schelstraete was presented the Honor D Award, and in 2003 was inducted into the Doane College Athletic Hall of Fame. Currently, Schelstraete serves as president of City Bank and Trust Co. in Crete. He and his wife, Robin, have two children.
Patrick Beans '79 has returned to the Board of Trustees after serving a term as an alumni representative from 2003-2006. Beans received a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, and is currently the chief financial officer and vice president at National Research Corporation, based in Lincoln. Beans also serves on the Board of Directors of the Lincoln Community Foundation, the Administrative Board of Lincoln Electric System and is a commissioner on the Nebraska Volunteer Service Commission. Beans is married to fellow Doane graduate Ellen Holstein '80 Beans. They have two children.
Richard "Dick" Held '70 was elected as an alumni representative to the Board of Trustees. Held earned a Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics from Doane and a M.B.A. from the University of Southern California in 1971. He serves on various clubs and committees, including president of the Palisades High School Booster Club and the committee for the poor at St. Martin of Tours Church. Held and his wife, Debbie, a graduate of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, have been married for 37 years. Both have been actively involved in the American Youth Soccer Organization for over 28 years, Debbie as regional commissioner and Held as coach. Held is a real estate investor in California and the couple has three grown children.
Doane Trustee Honored by Yale
Rev. Dr. Otis Young, assistant secretary of the Board of Trustees and retired senior minister of First-Plymouth Congregational Church in Lincoln, was honored by Yale Divinity School in October with an alumni award for Distinction in Congregational Ministry. He was further recognized in 2007 by a book celebrating the 50th year of the United Church of Christ, which cites him as one of 50 distinguished leaders of the entire denomination.
Martha Elizabeth Aitken Greer
Martha Elizabeth Aitken Greer, spouse of former chairman of the Doane College Board of Trustees, J. Taylor Greer, died June 18 at the age of 81. An active leader in many organizations, Martha possessed a passion for the arts which was evidenced by her involvement at Doane. She and her husband were instrumental in the purchase of Doane's first Steinway concert grand piano, which their daughter-in-law played at its inaugural concert. Martha was also involved with Rall Art Gallery and development of the college's collections. A well-decorated humanitarian, Martha was known for her love of the arts, commitment to education and selfless giving to many people and organizations.
Dr. Betty Levitov Dr. Betty Levitov, professor of English, was among seven local authors at a book signing at Barnes & Noble in Lincoln Oct. 25. Levitov signed copies of her book "Africa on Six Wheels: A Semester on Safari," which was completed during a 2004-05 sabbatical. Published by the University of Nebraska Press, the book captures over 10 years of memoirs from her years teaching Doane students in Africa and has drawn favorable reviews in the
Lincoln Journal Star. Levitov led a 1996 interterm trip to Egypt and Kenya and another interterm to Africa in 2005, as well as three full semesters of study in Africa in 1998, 2002 and 2006.
The Real America
Doane College and Jan Willems, director of the Office of International Programs, were included in "The Real America" article in the April 2007 edition of Language Travel Magazine. Willems touts Nebraska's rich American history.
Cody Vance
Cody Vance received the Special Mission Recognition Award from the United Methodist Women of Grace United Methodist Church in Crete at an April 2007 worship service.
Dawn Bartlett
Dawn Bartlett, forensics coach and instructor in communication, was elected to a second two-year term as president of the Nebraska Intercollegiate Forensics Association (NIFA). Comprised of forensics coaches from Nebraska institutions of higher learning, NIFA's mission is to promote intercollegiate forensics activities in the state and to annually hold a state tournament. The president serves as the official spokesperson and representative of NIFA.
Who's Who
Dr. Russell Souchek
Dr. Russell Souchek, associate professor of Biology and Geology, is listed in the 2006-2007 edition of Who's Who Among America's Teachers. Who's Who lists educators nominated by students honored in The National Dean's List. Souchek was also appointed to the Education Committee of the Spring Creek Prairie Audubon Center, which assists SCPAC staff with organization, review and evaluation of community and educational programming.
Dr. Jill Bale
Dr. Jill M. Bale, associate professor of Finance, represented Doane at the "Leadership Across the Liberal Arts Curriculum" conference in Claremont, Calif., June 14-15. Bale joined the nation's scholars of leadership studies and representatives of some 50 liberal arts institutions to discuss best practices for teaching leadership across the liberal arts curriculum.
Kristen Donovan and Barbara Clement
Student Kristen Donovan and Barbara J. Clement, associate professor of Biology, presented a poster at the 107th annual meeting of the American Society for Microbiology in Toronto last May. The poster reflects Donovan's INBRE research and was titled "Investigation of the Host-Pathogen Interactions between HeLa Cells and Pseudomonas Strains PA01 and JP2."
Chelsi Klentz and Laura Gieseking
Students Chelsi Klentz and Laura Gieseking won first place honors in their research poster session at the Great Plains Students' Psychology Convention March 2007 at Friends University in Wichita, Kan. They co-presented the project "Observer Perceptions of Date Rape as a Function of Perpetrator Motive."
Philip Weitl
Philip Weitl, M.A., instructor in English, had his article on the College World Series "Ten Days in June" published in the May/June 2006 issue of Nebraska Life. It was also picked up by CWSOmaha.com.
Tom King
Professor of Secondary Education Tom King - aka Ulysses S. Grant - made an appearance at the Homestead National Monument of America Campfire Programs in July. King makes regular presentations as Grant, adding his personal flair as he retells history.
Dr. Evelyn Haller and Dr. Robert Muckel
Dr. Eveyln Haller, professor of English, and Dr. Robert Muckel, professor emeritus of Biology, gave a presentation on author Willa Cather at the Oct. 9 meeting for Doane Association of Retired Persons (DARP).
Dr. Heather York
Dr. Heather York, assistant professor of Biology, was co-author on an article titled "Limiting similarity and species assemblages in the short-tailed fruit bats" published in the Journal of Zoology Volume 273, Number 3, November 2007. Additionally, York's photograph of a Jackalope infected with a virus similar to the human papilloma virus - which can cause cervical cancer and various kinds of warts - has been used in a number of news sites since the vaccine for human papilloma virus was introduced.
Expanded Edition of Doane's Fascinating History Now available
Written by Dean Emeritus Don Ziegler, Doane: A College on a Hill and Beyond is an expansion of his earlier book published in 1990.
This comprehensive new edition tells the history of Doane through the Brown presidency, including interesting vignettes and addenda not included in the first edition. The book also contains many historical photographs and illustrations.
In addition to being a Doane alumnus, class of 1950, Ziegler also served as academic dean at Doane from 1975-1986. Upon his retirement, Ziegler spent the next three years researching and writing the first edition, A College on a Hill, Life at Doane 1872-1987. A historian with several publications to his credit, Ziegler completed the expanded edition last fall.
Doane: A College on a Hill and Beyond is available for a limited time for $18.00 (retail price $24.95) in the Doane College bookstore in Crete.