President’s Perspective – August 2017
Posted: August 29, 2017
Countdown to October 2017
October will be a special time for A.T. Still University as we officially celebrate our 125th anniversary with events on both campuses and virtually. We hope you are able to celebrate with us in person, via our community projects, or by visiting with us at conventions, continuing education courses, and online.
During 2017-2018, each school/college will be involved in special 125th anniversary community service projects. To see what we are up to, please continue watching your email and iConnect for updates. I know you will be proud of the many activities positively impacting our communities.
Three focus areas for 2017-2018 academic year
1. Higher Learning Commission accreditation visit preparation
In fall 2018, ATSU will undergo an accreditation visit by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). Preparing for and completing an accreditation visit allows ATSU an opportunity to demonstrate its mission accomplishments, successful student outcomes, and meaningful cooperation among schools, colleges, and programs. Accreditation visitors also view how the University functions in areas including governance, finance, campus climate, and coordination of services and resources.
The HLC Steering Committee continues preparing for ATSU’s accreditation visit. Each ATSU family member will be invited to participate in activities leading up to the fall 2018 visit.
Thank you, HLC Steering Committee members:
- Ann Boyle, DMD, MA, associate vice president, academic affairs
- Randy Danielsen, PhD, PA, DFAAPA, dean, ATSU-ASHS
- Matt Heeren, JD, vice president & general counsel
- Lori Haxton, MA, vice president, student affairs
- Janet Woldt, PhD, MS, associate dean, ATSU-ASDOH
- Rick Rieder, MM, MBA, vice president for finance/CFO
- Donna Brown, MBA, assistant vice president, human resources
- Norine Eitel, MBA, assistant to the president
- Melanie Davis, DHEd, acting director, assessment & accreditation
- Vineet Singh, PhD, professor, ATSU-KCOM
- James Lynskey, PT, PhD, director, physical therapy, ATSU-ASHS
- Kathleen Mathieson, PhD, CIP, associate professor, ATSU-CGHS
- Clinton Normore, MBA, associate vice president, diversity
- Kalleb Greene, DMD, ’17, ATSU-MOSDOH alumnus
- Ted Wendel, PhD, senior vice president, university strategic initiatives
- Marsha Ham, PhD, director, teaching & learning center
- Jane Hawthorne, university data manager, assessment & accreditation
- Becky Richardson, manager, academic affairs
2. Opportunities to lead the way in wellness and prevention through ATSU’s healthcare delivery centers
More than 101,960 patient visits occurred at ATSU-related centers in 2016-2017. What an unprecedented opportunity we have to promote health, wellness, whole person healthcare, and our University’s mission with patients, their families, and friends!
Our deans will be working together to develop ideas, promotions, outcomes, and plans to continue improving the health of patients who entrust their care to ATSU faculty, staff, and students.
3. Information technology
Daily, information technology plays a greater role in each of our lives and at ATSU. This year, John Heard, PhD, vice president, research, grants, and information systems, will work with stakeholders to develop a five-year strategic plan to continue building upon our strong technological foundation. Faculty, staff, students, and external stakeholders will be asked to contribute through surveys, as well as virtual and on-campus forums.
Summer 2017 Commencements and White Coat Ceremonies
Over the last few months, ATSU celebrated more than 1,000 graduates during commencement ceremonies. We are proud of our graduates’ accomplishments and wish them success as they enter the next phase of their professional lives.
We also continue welcoming new students to ATSU. Our White Coat Ceremonies have been inspiring events, and we are looking forward to the ATSU-ASHS Audiology ceremony on Saturday, Sept. 9.
Commencements
ATSU-KCOM
ATSU-KCOM
Saturday, May 20
Kirksville, Missouri
173 graduates
Commencement speaker: Adrienne White-Faines, MPA, CEO, American Osteopathic Association
ATSU-SOMA
ATSU-SOMA
Friday, May 26
Mesa, Arizona
103 graduates
Commencement speaker: Sister Adele O’Sullivan, MD, family medicine physician for the homeless
ATSU-ASDOH
ATSU-ASDOH
Friday, May 26
Mesa, Arizona
74 graduates
Commencement speaker: Rick Rader, MD, FAAIDD, director, Morton J. Kent Habilitation Center
ATSU-CGHS
ATSU-CGHS
Friday, May 26
Mesa, Arizona
275 graduates
Commencement speaker: Will Humble, MPH, executive director, Arizona Public Health Association
ATSU-MOSDOH
ATSU-MOSDOH
Saturday, June 10
St. Louis, Missouri
42 graduates
Commencement speaker: Honorable Jeremiah W. “Jay” Nixon, JD, former Missouri governor
ATSU-ASHS
ATSU-ASHS
Friday, Aug. 4
Mesa, Arizona
428 graduates
Commencement speaker: Sharon Dunn, PT, PhD, OCS, president, American Physical Therapy Association
White Coat Ceremonies
ATSU-SOMA
ATSU-ASHS Physician Assistant Studies
ATSU-SOMA, ATSU-ASDOH, ATSU-ASHS Physical Therapy, and ATSU-ASHS Physician Assistant Studies
Friday, July 14
Mesa, Arizona
ATSU-SOMA: 108 students
ATSU-ASDOH: 76 students
ATSU-ASHS Physical Therapy: 60 students
ATSU-ASHS Physician Assistant Studies: 70 students
ATSU-KCOM
ATSU-MOSDOH
ATSU-KCOM and ATSU-MOSDOH
Saturday, July 15
Kirksville, Missouri
ATSU-KCOM: 172 students
ATSU-MOSDOH: 42 students
ATSU-ASHS Audiology
Coming Saturday, Sept. 9
Mesa, Arizona
Dates to remember
Kirksville Community Thank You Dinner
Honoring ATSU’s 125th, Truman State University’s 150th, and Kirksville’s 175th anniversaries
Friday, Sept. 8, 2017
5:30-8:00 p.m.
Truman State University campus
RSVP by Aug. 30
Coffee with the President
Coming in September
Missouri campus
President’s Open Forum
Thursday, Sept. 21, 2017
Missouri campus
Founder’s Day – Missouri campus
Wednesday, Oct. 18, through Saturday, Oct. 21, 2017
Founder’s Day and community celebration – Arizona campus
Friday, Oct. 27, 2017
Interdisciplinary Biomedical Research Symposium
Saturday, Nov. 11, 2017
ATSU Missouri campus (livestream available for all ATSU)
SparkTank – Missouri campus
Wednesday, Nov. 15, 2017
Pre-proposals due Oct. 22, 2017
SparkTank – Arizona campus
Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2018
Pre-proposals due Jan. 28, 2018
Faculty and staff updates (as of July 31, 2017)
Congratulations on recent promotions
Please view the complete list of employee promotions (pdf).
Accomplishment kudos
Please view the complete list of accomplishment kudos (pdf).
Well wishes to faculty and staff celebrating anniversary milestones
Please view the complete list of employee anniversaries (pdf).
Ideas or concerns?
Do you have a great idea for ATSU’s next 125 years? Please send it to the ATSU Idea Box at ideas@atsu.edu.
How does the Idea Box work? Emails sent to the ATSU Idea Box go to Dr. Phelps and are only shared with the sender’s permission.
See something you are worried about? Please contact the anonymous Fraud Hotline to report situations or behavior compromising the University’s integrity. The hotline is available 24/7 at 1.855.FRAUD.HL (1.855.372.8345) or www.fraudhl.com.
In closing
We are fortunate to have outstanding faculty, staff, students, alumni, and external stakeholders working diligently to accomplish ATSU’s mission. As we look back on 125 years of ATSU and osteopathic medical education, we thank you and hope you will celebrate with us on campus, online, while attending events, or through your own personal way.
Yours in service,
Craig M. Phelps, DO, ’84
President