Millikin Says Farewell to the Zemkes Millikin Quarterly Vol
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Millikin QuarterlyWINTER 2010-11 Millikin says farewell to the Zemkes Millikin Quarterly Vol. XXVI, No. 4 Winter 2010-11 Produced by the Millikin University Office of Alumni and Development. E-mail comments to: [email protected] Millikin Quarterly (ISSN 8750- 7706) (USPS 0735-570) is published four times yearly; once during each of the first, second, third and fourth quarters by Mil- likin University, 1184 West Main Street, Decatur, Illinois 62522- 2084. Periodicals postage paid at Decatur, Illinois. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Millikin Quarterly, Millikin University, 1184 West Main Street, Decatur, IL 62522-2084. Telephone: 217-424-6383, or call toll-free to 1-877-JMU-ALUM. Millikin Quarterly magazine was recognized with national APEX awards of excellence for four consecutive years and is the recipient of a 2008 bronze award from the Council for the Support and Advancement of Education, District V. ON THIS PAGE: Millikin’s iconic Shilling Hall. COVER: Retiring Millikin President Douglas E. Zemke ’66 and his wife, Ellen. 2 Winter 2010-11 Millikin Quarterly As my time as president of this fine With the insights she has gained from university concluded with my December serving as the vice president for alumni Aretirement, I’d like to leave behind a and development since 1995, she is an message for our faculty members, ad- admirable choice to set the course of ministrators, alumni, donors and friends. leadership during this important period I hope you will always keep in mind this of transition until Dr. Jeffcoat arrives one important concept: (see related article, page 4). Many of Remember the mission. you are personally acquainted with VP In my seven-and-a-half years as Mil- Luy and know full well that the presi- likin president, and prior to that as both dent’s office will be in excellent hands dean of the Tabor School of Business during her tenure as interim president. and a member of the board of trustees, In closing, I’d like to extend a per- it was the thought I always kept in front sonal note of thanks to my wife, Ellen, of me: The Millikin mission to deliver and share a few parting thoughts from on the promise of education for our both of us. Ellen, who married me dur- students, to prepare them for profes- ing my second year as president, has sional success, democratic citizenship been a gracious first lady for Millikin and in a global environment, and a personal has been honored to serve the universi- life of meaning and value. Our students ty in a variety of roles. She has grown to President’s depend on us to deliver on that promise love this university, this community and and know that their lives are forever its people, just as I do. I am thankful to Perspective changed by it. have had her by my side during the past Douglas Zemke ’66, This mission is why we are here and seven years and for her personal work Millikin President Emeritus why we will continue to be here in the in the community. future. Its message resonates now just Millikin is truly a place filled with the as it did in the early days of this uni- promise of a better tomorrow and with versity under the guidance of Founder unlimited opportunity to explore. Each James Millikin and first President day, Ellen and I have had the plea- Albert Taylor. Presidents will come and sure of witnessing faculty who inspire presidents will leave, but the mission students, students who accept the continues on. Our legacy is helping stu- challenge to perform, staff and admin- dents develop the foundation they need istrators who find ways to deliver on to succeed in life professionally and the promise of education, and alumni personally. It is a richly rewarding task, and friends who recognize and support and I will remember my time at Millikin our mission with their time, talents and as one full of meaning and purpose. treasures. We are truly humbled and It is my hope that those who serve feel privileged to have played a part in in this office after me, including Interim their efforts to keep the promise alive President Peg Smith Luy ’75 and Dr. for future Millikin students. Harold Jeffcoat, who will assume the We feel blessed to have been here presidency April 1, will find the experi- and to be a part of the Millikin family. ence of leading this university as fulfill- You have truly enriched our lives, and ing as I did. I also hope that both of we will always be thankful. In one way them will keep the university’s mission or another, I know we will always be as their touchstone each day. The mis- connected to this university, and it will sion especially resonates with Peg Luy, always have a place in our lives. You I will remember since she has lived it personally as a can count on seeing us on campus from my time at Millikin member of the class of 1975 and as an time to time. It’s the place where, to us, as one full of meaning integral part of the university community the sun is always shining and the sky is and purpose. for nearly all of her professional career. always blue – Millikin blue. ● Winter 2010-11 Millikin Quarterly 3 CAMPUS NEWS Political science professor receives his second Fulbright New president named: Dr. David Jervis, depart- ment chair and associate Dr. Harold G. Jeffcoat professor of political sci- ence, has been awarded On Nov. 16, the Millikin board of his second Fulbright trustees announced the selection of Dr. teaching fellowship. Harold G. Jeffcoat as the university’s Jervis will spend a O14th president. Jeffcoat, who retired last June after year teaching courses in international completing his 10th year as president relations and American foreign policy at and chief executive officer of Texas the Maria Curie-Sklodowska University in Wesleyan University in Fort Worth, Lublin, Poland, beginning this January. Texas, will assume the Millikin presi- The Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program dency April 1. He brings more than 30 is an international educational exchange years of higher education experience to program sponsored by the U.S. govern- Millikin. ment, offering opportunities for Ameri- Peg Luy, vice president for alumni can faculty members and professors to and development, will serve as interim conduct research, lecture and/or consult president and CEO from Jan. 1 through tion provides the talent and expertise with other scholars and institutions March 31. Luy, a 1975 Millikin gradu- required of this position.” abroad. Only 300,000 individuals world- ate, has nearly 30 years experience in A native of Nashville, Tenn., Jeffcoat higher education and has held various began his career in higher education wide have received fellowships since the roles at Millikin, including serving in in 1975 at Baker University, a United Fulbright program began in 1946. her vice president position since 1995. Methodist college located in Baldwin “Dr. Jervis’ Fulbright award is a tes- “We are excited to watch the next City, Kan. He earned his bachelor’s tament to his fine work as a scholar and chapter of the Millikin story unfold,” and master’s degrees in history from speaks highly of the faculty of Millikin, said Mikel Briggs, chairman of the the University of South Florida, his who consistently garner recognition for board, when making the announcement doctorate in educational policy studies their work,” said Barry Pearson, vice about Jeffcoat. “Dr. Jeffcoat’s extraordi- from the University of Kentucky, and a president for academic affairs. nary experience and career accomplish- graduate law degree from the University Jervis hopes his recognition from ments, combined with the dedication of Leicester in England. He previously the Fulbright program will set an ex- and talents of the campus community, served as assistant vice president at ample for the type of learning that he will help position Millikin to grow and Purdue University and vice chancellor encourages his students to explore. improve while serving our mission of at the University of Missouri before delivering on the promise of education.” accepting the position of president and “For students, going overseas Jeffcoat’s selection concludes a chief executive officer of Texas Wes- serves to broaden their understand- nationwide search process that began leyan University. Jeffcoat also held ing of the world and to heighten their nearly a year ago following the fall the rank of tenured full professor of awareness of differences,” he says. 2009 retirement announcement of humanities and professor of European “The broader understanding of the outgoing president Douglas E. Zemke. Union Law at Texas Wesleyan. world is something we should all have, Zemke had deliberately made the He and his wife, Marie, have three not only because of the cliché that the announcement more than a year in children, Jennifer, Jacqueline and world is getting smaller – which it is – advance of his Dec. 31, 2010 retirement James, and two grandchildren, Julianna but because of the large role America in order to ensure an unrushed, thought- Marie and Ava Grace. plays in the contemporary era. Truly ful transition of presidential leadership. “Marie and I are excited to join the informed democratic citizens in a global Jeffcoat was one of three finalists for Millikin University family and the environment must know more about the Millikin presidency, chosen from a Decatur community,” Jeffcoat said. pool of more than 80 applicants. “The University’s reputation for prepar- that foreign environment, and firsthand “As members of the board of trust- ing students for meaningful and produc- exposure is the best way to get it.” ● ees, we have no greater responsibility tive lives, the excellent faculty and loyal than protecting the health and vitality alumni, and the strong support of the of the institution we serve,” Briggs Decatur community all make Millikin said.