Winter 2018 Allen College Communicator Inside this Issue Jerry Durham is Leaving Lasting Imprint at Allen College New President Named Page 2 The man behind Allen College’s Allen College Seeks Third Party impressive expansion and growth since Comments his arrival in 2005, retired at the end of Page 2 2017. Featured Donor It’s been a productive tenure for Allen Page 3 College Chancellor Jerry Durham, as the Durham’s last official day at Allen college has seen increased enrollment College was January 1, 2018. In Remembrance in each of those years, contributing to Page 3 the healthcare industry in Northeast After a couple of months in Florida, Dr. Iowa, across the state and beyond. Durham and his wife Kathy, will return to Allen College Recognizes Waterloo to place their home on the “It’s very rewarding to see these Scholarship Donors market. They plan to retire to the farm Page 4 students enter our programs, become that has been in Kathy’s family, in Jo practitioners and enter the healthcare Daviess County, outside of Galena, Ill. Allen College Welcomes New workforce,” Durham said. “That’s the It’s been a relaxing weekend getaway goal of this college.” Faculty and Staff for many years. Page 6 Durham’s legacy is cemented by the Kathy, a dentist, sold her practice when expansion of programs, the increases in Jerry took the chancellor position at Faculty/Staff Accomplishments enrollment and the overall health of the Allen College, and has been working Page 6 institution. part-time in the dental hygiene clinic at Fall enrollment at Allen College was 622 Hawkeye Community College. Department News Page 7 – having more than doubled since Under Durham’s leadership, Allen Durham’s arrival. College implemented Iowa’s only 2017 Graduation Ceremonies He’s helped develop multiple programs accelerated baccalaureate nursing Page 9 in nursing and health sciences which are program; opened a graduate program in now being offered, including masters occupational therapy; initiated five new Alumni News and doctoral programs. health sciences programs; implemented Page 10 five additional tracks in its Master of “Jerry Durham is the architect of Allen Science in Nursing program; and started College’s remarkable growth, and the doctoral programs in nursing and health college is exceptionally well-focused professions education. Allen College is seeking third going forward,” said Pam Delagardelle, in preparation for president and CEO of UnityPoint Health Allen College has greatly expanded its party comments – Waterloo. “It exists to prepare online offerings to increase student its periodic evaluation April 23-24, graduates for careers in nursing and access to its academic programs during 2018 by its regional accrediting health sciences, and our students a time of increasing need for nurses and agency, the Higher Learning graduate with excellent credentials and other healthcare providers. Commission (HLC). waiting jobs. None of that is an “While most people plan in terms of accident. Dr. Durham is equally months or years, Dr. Durham has had See information on page 2 about proficient as a planner, administrator the vision to plan in terms of decades how to submit comments on and visionary. He envisioned Allen and the skills to lead us through all the substantive matters by March 23, College as it is today from the day he 2018. first joined us.” Continued on page 2 1 Dr. Jared Seliger Named Allen College Seeks Third Allen College President Party Comments Allen College is seeking comments from the public about the The Allen College Board of College in preparation for its periodic evaluation by its regional Trustees selected Dr. Jared accrediting agency, the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). Seliger to serve as president of Allen College has been accredited by the HLC since 1995. The Allen College, effective January College will host a site visit April 23-24, 2018, with a team 2, 2018 representing the HLC. The team will review the College’s Dr. Seliger served as the director ongoing ability to meet HLC’s Criteria for Accreditation. of Allen College’s nuclear medicine technology program for The public is invited to submit comments regarding Allen the past nine years and as College to the following address: associate chancellor for the past two years. Public Comment on Allen College Higher Learning Commission He earned a PhD degree in 230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500 higher education administration Chicago, IL 60604-1411 from Iowa State University, a Master of Business The public may also submit comments on the HLC’s website Dr. Jared Seliger, President Administration degree from the at: http://www.hlcommission.org/comment University of Northern Iowa, a Bachelor of Science degree from Comments must address substantive matters related to the Loras College and a certificate in nuclear medicine technology quality of the institution or its academic programs. Comments from the University of Iowa. must be in writing. All comments must be received by A native of the Cedar Valley, Dr. Seliger and his wife, Miranda, March 23, 2018. are the parents of an 18 month-old daughter. Jerry Durham is Leaving Lasting Imprint at Allen College Continued from page 1 By deepening and broadening opportunities for students, he’s done a lot of good for the healthcare system.” hard work necessary to reach those goals,” said Delagardelle. “He takes quiet pride in doing the right thing the right way, time At least at the beginning of his retirement, Dr. Durham will be after time. You can’t teach that kind of dedication, but you can considering interim leadership positions in higher education. admire and encourage it. And if you’re particularly fortunate, you can share it the way Jerry Durham has shared it with all of “Only interim positions,” he emphasized. us.” “It’s been a very rewarding opportunity, one we’ve enjoyed immensely,” Durham said. “We’ll miss it, but we’re also looking Also under Durham’s guidance, the College has supported forward to a different pace.” faculty continuing education. The college is approaching a goal of having 50 percent of full and part-time faculty holding They’ve earned it. doctorate degrees. All of us at Allen College wish the Durham’s a serene and “It’s very rewarding to see faculty return to colleges and relaxing retirement on the farm. universities and attain the credentials that will make them better faculty members,” he said. Honoring Dr. Durham It’s clear that Dr. Durham has had and will continue to have a Then, there’s the students. Durham said he’s been blessed to significant impact on Allen College and its students and alumni. work in an atmosphere where faculty and staff are constantly focusing on the success of the students. And he’s proud of the Please join the Allen College administration in making sure that College’s ability to fund scholarships over the years. Dr. Durham’s dedication and leadership continues to be celebrated for years to come by making a gift to either the new “Even though Allen College has very reasonable tuition, it’s still simulation laboratories or an endowed scholarship in his name. expensive to go to college,” he said. “Raising funds for He feels very committed to the success of both. scholarships has been critical in helping people get to college and begin a productive career.” An Allen College alum has already committed a generous matching gift of $50,000, with a goal of raising $100,000 to “Visionary” was also a word used by Rev. Dr. Steven Ullestad, name a room in the new Nursing and Health Sciences chairman of the Allen College Board of Trustees. Simulation Laboratory in Dr. Durham’s honor. “Dr. Durham is a master at researching what was needed in Gifts can be mailed to UnityPoint Health – Allen Foundation, terms of healthcare and creating a response and offering all the 1825 Logan Ave., Waterloo, IA 50703 or made online at research the board needed to make responsible decisions,” http://www.allencollege.edu/donate.aspx. Ullestad said. “It was a marvel to observe and be a part of that. 2 UnityPoint Health – Allen Foundation Featured Donor: Alumni Association Funds Greatest Need Over its history, the Allen College Alumni Association (ACAA) has been extremely generous in its giving to Allen College. From yearly support for student scholarships to campaign gifts for construction and renovation projects, including Gerard Hall, Barrett Forum and Alumni Hall, the ACAA has left its philanthropic mark across the campus. Alumni Hall—renovations were paid in part by donations from The most recent gift of $50,000 from the ACAA will benefit the Allen College Alumni Association the Allen College Area of Greatest Need Fund – part of the “For Allen For You” campaign. This gift will allow Allen College to use the funds as needed to support new The Allen College Alumni Association Advisory Board programs, necessary building renovations and other consists of alumni of all ages and all degree types, future opportunities. including student representation as well as representation from the Allen College professional staff "The role of our Alumni Association is to inspire loyalty, and the Allen Foundation. Funds are raised and support and enhance the achievements and continuing donated, then given back to the college or used to success of Allen College and its students,” said Dr. Jacki sponsor various ACAA events. Jaspers, ACAA Board Chair and Allen College Associate Professor. “By donating to the fund of Greatest Need, Each year, the Alumni Association Board helps to plan Allen College leaders can put the money where it is most and promote the Allen College Alumni Reunion, dinners needed to achieve the greatest good." for each of the three graduating classes, a scholarship benefit – Donate to Educate, Spring and Fall plant sales The mission of the ACAA is to promote and support Allen and alumni receptions in various cities.