“Major” Maverick Sightings - National American University

Albuquerque, NM
Albuquerque West, NM
Austin, TX
Austin South, TX
Bellevue, NE
Bloomington, MN
Brooklyn Center, MN
Burnsville, MN
Centennial, CO
Colorado Springs, CO
Colorado Springs South, CO
Denver, CO
Ellsworth AFB, SD
September 2013 Georgetown, TX
Independence, MO
Indianapolis, IN
Lee’s Summit, MO
Lewisville, TX
Mesquite, TX
Minnetonka, MN
Online - Allen, TX
Online - Distance Learning
Online - Houston, TX
Overland Park, KS
Rapid City, SD
Richardson, TX
Rochester, MN
Roseville, MN
Roueche Graduate
Center - Austin, TX
Sioux Falls, SD
Tigard, OR
State of the University, 2013 By Dr. Sam Kerr Tulsa, OK
services, career services, Watertown, SD
In a recent newsletter, Dr. Ron Shape, our chief Weldon Spring, MO
and coordination of Wichita, KS
external and internal Wichita West, KS
What’s Inside? executive officer, outlined the recent geographic university academic Zona Rosa, MO
growth of National American University. This
message will expand on Dr. Shape’s comments in matters. She will also foster collaborations
with academic departments, programs, and
• System News: pg 2 - 3 the areas of academics.
New academic programs are being added to
the professional and technical program inventory, key university departments and campuses to
enhance the quality of education. Dr. Priddy
• Spotlight: pg 4 including a pharmacy technician diploma
has a distinguished career in higher education,
program, an Associate of Applied Science
- NAU’ Graduation including her service as the vice president for
degree in marketing and management, and a
Bachelor of Science degree in health information accreditation services at the Higher Learning
Commission.
management. These programs are in various
Finally, the university is in the midst of
• Message: pg 5 stages of internal and external approvals. At the preparing its self-study as a prelude to the next
Roueche Graduate Center, located in Austin,
- Distinguished Alumni comprehensive accreditation visit from the
Texas, we are exploring additional master’s level
Service Awards Higher Learning Commission. In that regard,
programming, as well as adding emphasis areas
for our current master’s level programs in business, the Commission will conduct a comprehensive
reaffirmation evaluation for the university
management and nursing.
on September 22-24, 2014. A team of peer
• Maverick Sightings: We are pleased to have received full regional reviewers from the Commission will visit the
pg 6 accreditation for our new education doctorate central administration offices, as well as selected
(Ed.D.) program and plan to expand this program
campuses and additional locations. National
in approved locations throughout the United
American University began its reaffirmation
States. In that regard, through internal
of accreditation self-study in March 2012.
New Academic Programs and external environmental scanning Accreditation assures and advances the
processes, NAU’s Board of Governors
quality of higher education, as the university
Ed.D. program receives determined that a significant need for
demonstrates its willingness and commitment to
approval an Ed.D. degree existed, especially quality and accountability.
in the area of community college
Dr. Priddy joins NAU The Commission provides public certification
leadership. As part of this scanning
of acceptable institutional quality and an
Preparing for HLC process, the board formed the NAU opportunity and incentive for self-improvement.
National Community College Advisory
All university campuses and departments, both
Board, which helped identify the
academic and non-academic, will need to
critical need for preparing community and
be active participants in the self-study process
technical college leaders. Dr. Walter Bumphus,
in order for the university to be successful in its
president and CEO of the American Association
review efforts.
of Community Colleges, previously determined
The university’s most recent self-study was in
that “[T]he data collected through ... research
indicates that within the next five years, 45% of our 2007. Since then, the criteria for accreditation
have changed to become more evidence-
current presidents will retire, and within the next
based. The focus has shifted to the university’s
ten years, we will lose an additional
performance; the effectiveness of its processes
25% -- for a total of 70% of our leaders.”
and structures and allocation of resources
The university administration is also pleased
in achieving its goals; the demonstration of
that Dr. Lynn Priddy will join the university on
academic quality to student learning, retention
October 1 as the new provost. As the university’s
and completion; and the capacity to sustain
chief academic officer, Dr. Priddy will assume
educational excellence in the future.
overall responsibility for academic programs,

assessment of student learning outcomes, learner

Continued on Page 2

NAU SYSTEM NEWS

ALBUQUERQUE, NM DENVER, CO
Bernardo LaFontaine (Organizational Leadership, BS, 2012) Dr. James Rairdon, Denver’s
lives in Oklahoma, working at Aerotek as a tactical engine academic dean announced
records analyst contractor for Pratt & Whitney. He is currently that Pamela Karakusis-Smith, recent
enrolled in NAU’s Master of Management program. nursing graduate, has been selected
as the 2013 Student of the Year in
ALBUQUERQUE WEST, NM Allied Health-Clinical by the Colorado
Blair Boyer (Business Administration, BS, 2007) Association of Career Colleges and
“Going back to school had been on my Schools. “I grew up around the medical
mind for a while, so when my employer told profession and had high hopes that I could be as influential
me I needed to have a college degree in as my father who is a physician. My education was put
order to advance, I did it. I would not have on hold for a time due to life circumstances. Those in the
been able to be a senior director of human nursing profession who helped me and my children were
resources without my education.” influential in my decision to earn my nursing degree.” Pam
persevered through many challenges while at NAU but is
BLOOMINGTON, MN a firm believer that perspective is everything. “A positive
Allie Munro (Medical Assisting, AAS, attitude can carry you through the most difficult times.”
2012) “I was thrilled to learn about job
options in specialty clinics, and I pursued ONLINE
an externship with a dermatology Melissa Carr (Business Administration
consultant group. I was hired even emphasis in Accounting, BS, 2012) lives
before I graduated. Thanks to the in Emory, Texas and works remotely for
program coordinators and hard work, I the Regional Heart Doctors in Rapid
had the skills and confidence I needed City, South Dakota. ”Getting an
to land a job I wanted.” education was extremely important to
me. I didn’t want to live a life struggling
COLORADO SPRINGS, CO financially. I set my values high. Now I focus on my family
Curtis Newton (2006 Applied Management, BS, 2006) is a and contribute to family income. I overcame a lot and am
senior analyst for BIT Systems and lives in Aurora, Colorado. very proud of where I am today.” • Phillip Falcon (Business
Administration, BS, 2011) lives in Albany, Minnesota, and is a
COLORADO STUDENTS program manager for Douglas Machine, Inc.
Three NAU students were honored as “Colorado Students
of the Year” for meritorious achievement in their fields of LEE’S SUMMIT, MO
study. Cindy Engle (Healthcare Coding) from Centennial, PHI BETA LAMBDA
Travis Sullivan (Business Administration) from Colorado Stacey Forte’, the Phi Beta Lambda (PBL) Chapter President
Springs South and Pamela Karakusis-Smith (Nursing) from for NAU in Missouri and Kansas, attended the National
Denver will be honored at a dinner hosted in part by the Convention in Anaheim, California, in June. She attended
Denver Post in September. Their selections were based daily workshops and competed in events against others
upon personal commitment, performance, leadership and from 18-64 years old and met individuals from every state.
professionalism. She plans to continue PBL membership after graduation.

State of the University cont.

Reaffirming accreditation allows the university to provide accomplish what it claims. The team’s recommendation is subject
evidence that it meets all the Commission’s criteria and all to additional levels of Commission review and decision-making.
the core components of accreditation. The university evaluates The Commission’s Board of Trustees makes the final decision on
itself against the criteria within the context of it mission, goals, reaffirmation.
purposes, academic programs and students. This evaluation is The university remains focused on its
then compiled into findings, opportunities for improvement, mission and purposes as it continues to
and evidence in its self-study report. The university then submits provide technical and professional programs
its self-study to the Commission for evaluation. to its students in a caring and supportive
Accreditation evaluations are conducted by peer reviewers learning environment.
- faculty, administrators, public members, and others drawn from
within and outside of academe. The team of peer reviewers Dr. Sam Kerr has been with NAU since
evaluates the university in terms of the criteria and other required October of 2001. He has held a number of
elements (such as federal requirements) and writes a report authoritative and administrative positions,
that includes an accreditation recommendation. Accreditation and most recently he was appointed as the
evaluates an institution of higher education against its own Chief Operating Officer for the NAU System.
mission, what it claims it accomplishes, and whether it does indeed
Dr. Sam Kerr
Chief Operating Officer

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NATIONAL AMERICAN UNIVERSITY PRESORTED
STANDARD
ALUMNI OFFICE US POSTAGE PAID
5301 S. Highway 16 RAPID CITY, SD
R­ apid City, SD 57701 PERMIT NO 618

50th Issue

Major taking a ride “Major” Maverick Sightings
with Larry

Major taking a ride Major hanging out in
with Larry Minne-TONKA!!

Major keeping Major joining NAU
Dr. Shape (CEO) company Grad Daniel Myers

Major keeping the at his new job
kids company!

RAPID CITY, SD CENTRAL ADMINISTRATION
The Rapid City campus Todd Herseth, System Business Program
graduated their first Chair, was recently elected to the IACBE
three BS nursing students Board of Commissioners. This is the specialized
(Penny Whaley, Nicole accreditation body that accredits NAU’s
Weyer, Penny Bilben) business programs.
and recognized them
during a pinning CULTURE CLUBS
ceremony preceeding The combined Culture Clubs from all NAU campuses including
the commencement Online joined recently to raise funds for the Make-A-Wish
ceremony. • Paul VanderWoude received the distinguished Foundation. This was a joint effort and NAU’s first system-
service alumni award. Paul’s wife Sue VanderWoude, a wide charity campaign. Through a combination of events,
former student, and several of his 1971 classmates including $10,749.88 was raised to help fulfill the wishes of children
Dennis Garsjo, President of ’71 Student Senate, attended who have life threatening illnesses.
graduation and the reception. • Joseph Kirk (Criminal Justice,
BS, 2012) was part of the Army ROTC program and received GRADUATE SCHOOL
commission as a second lieutenant. • Chris Cronberg, a Dr. Martha Ellis has been named as a
professor and Dean of Graduate Faculty
1971 graduate, for NAU’s Harold D. Buckingham Graduate
has retired as School at the Rouche Graduate Center
a health care in Austin, Texas. Dr. Ellis was previously an
administrator Associate Vice Chancellor in the University
and 25 years of Texas system. She will have primary
as a hospital responsibility for faculty administration and
CEO. He lives in training and curriculum development.
Nashville, Tenn.
• A group of NAU ALUMNI
Rapid City’s In July 2013, the alumni office entered the 12,000th
1990’s alumni graduate alumnus into the alumni database….
returned for Matthew H. Olson (Information Technology emphasis
a Rapid City reunion. They met with former and current in Management Information System, BS, 2013 – Online
members of the faculty and staff, toured the new campus, Campus) from Onalaska, Wisconsin.
and enjoyed a picnic together. Tanya Martens was the
reunion group and event organizer. Rip Ray, a member of Please stay in touch!
the group and a 1996 graduate, is living in Pierre. He is a We have lost contact with too many alumni as a result of
senior revenue agent for the State of South Dakota. • Ralph moving or other changes that have not been communicated
Scissons, a 1951 National School of Business graduate, visited with the university.
NAU in May.
Your contact information can be updated online at:
SIOUX FALLS, SD http://www.national.edu/alumni-information-form.
The Sioux Falls
graduation event NAU FOUNDATION ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE AWARDS
was attended by Rebecca Davis and Mitzi Austin received foundation awards
Dr. Coral Noonan- for academic excellence and for achieving inspiration to
Terry, dean of the their peers and their instructors. Rebecca Davis is a financial
graduate school services representative for the Online Campus and Mitzi
and Dr. Tasha Austin is a regional career services staff member in the South
Almond, graduate Region for Oklahoma and Texas. Both are master’s degree
instructor, assessment and curriculum staff member. They recipients.
are pictured with Sioux Falls graduates John Fieber (Master
of Management, 2013) and his daughter, Shannon Persching Mitzi Austin
(Criminal Justice, AAS, 2013).
Rebecca Davis
ZONA ROSA, MO
A Zona Rosa group of ASN
nursing students distributed
900 bottles of water and
provided at least 50 nursing
diagnoses relating to runner
health/well-being at the
Mother’s Day 2013 5K Run/
Walk in Overland Park,
Kansas.

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MESSAGE THANK YOU!

ALUMNI-Please consider making a contribution
to NAU’s alumni scholarships fund in care of the

NAU Foundation, so that additional excellent
students can be financially helped.

DISTINGUISHED SERVICE ALUMNI AWARDS - 2013 Shelton Franklin Tiffany Christenson

2013 Distinguished Service Alumni 2013 Distinguished Service Alumni
2011 Colorado Springs Graduate 2010 Overland Park Graduate
BS, Health Care Management Diploma, Practical Nursing

“I came to NAU when I was in “Nursing was always a career
the military because I wanted goal of mine. It provides a
to become an officer. My way to give back, to be
main challenge was time that one person who brightens
someone’s day and provides a helping hand.
management due to my rigorous work schedule, Nursing is so rewarding. I am now the Resident
but thanks to co-workers and the staff at NAU, I Care Manager at an assisted-living facility. I
succeeded. Since graduating, job opportunities oversee the nursing staff and work directly with
have gone sky high. After getting out of the home health agencies, hospitals, skilled facilities
military, I became the radiology director at a local and doctors to provide the best possible care for
hospital. I am the first person in my family to our patients. Graduating from NAU helped me
graduate from college. Having my family come realize that I can do anything I put my mind to.”
to my graduation has inspired me to continue
my education onto a master’s degree.”

Michael Leising Adam Lalim

2013 Distinguished Service Alumni 2013 Distinguished Service Alumni
2010 Austin Graduate 2011 Watertown Graduate
BS, Applied Management BS, Business Administration,
emphasis Management
“I was in the Navy and I had
been taking college courses “In 2012, I purchased Northeast
over a seven-year period Area Appraisals, and I do real
before I enrolled at NAU. estate appraisals in the Watertown area in South
I was tired of not having a degree and I made Dakota. I do the majority of appraisals, along
that my number one priority at NAU. I did all of with three part-time employees. I serve on the
this while working full time, coaching a high school Watertown Chamber Board of Directors, and I
baseball team, and being a devoted family man. am an active member of the Professional
Learning how to balance your time and your Appraisers Association of South Dakota, and
priorities is the key to success. I am now Research a former board member for Watertown Urban
Engineer/Scientist Associate for the University of Renewal.”
Texas J.J. Pickle Applied Research Laboratory.”

TrheilsabwtyinillugaPasbltielnolooagwuwcswtteahAtywrheceoTe.ToeunaNnuralwu:tsntimuiniAiotvchunnLeceLiaoreslilttGin.tshoeyskRedsatoAruoungnbD/dsramNhaUlpaudAAitemruUTueraE’snpsioStnid.ewnfaosae.trlebmmssaitaettiotenrs ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS - ALUMNI-2013

The most senior academic excellence scholarship award is designated as
the alumni scholarship for each location. Jimmy Childress, Organizational Leadership,
Albuquerque; Racheal Anderson, Nursing, Brooklyn Center; Charles Devorak, Busi-
ness Administration, Bloomington; Evan Hill, Accounting, Bloomington; Tamara Meloy,
Healthcare Management, Independence; Anna Alday, Criminal Justice, Bellevue;
Jennifer Park, Applied Management, Online; Amy Kolodziej, Medical Staff Services

Management, Online; Rachael Hicks, Paralegal Studies, Zona Rosa.

Page 5 Guy Tillett | Director of Alumni Services | 605-394-4976 | [email protected]
ALUMNI OFFICE | 5301 S. Hwy 16 | Rapid City, SD 57701

IN THE

SPOTLIGHT

2013 NAU GRADUATION

Multiple NAU Locations

Page 4