Dr. Judith Dilts retires from William Jewell

Dr. Judith A. Dilts, the Dr. Burnell Landers Professor of Biology and Chair, has announced her retirement from William Jewell College . She has served Jewell as a member of the faculty for nearly 30 years. Her retirement was effective August 31, 2004. Dr. Dilts is a graduate of Indiana University , where she completed a Ph.D. in genetics and an M.A. and B.A. in zoology. She has conducted postgraduate research in molecular biology at the University of South Dakota . She joined the Jewell faculty in 1975. “Dr. Dilts is highly regarded for her excellence in teaching by both faculty and students on our campus,” says Dr. John Westlie, Dean of the College and Vice President for Academic Affairs. “She has taken a leadership role through Project Kaleidoscope in improving undergraduate science education. Her involvement and efforts have brought national recognition to the college. She will be missed by students, faculty and staff at William Jewell, but we wish her well in her new endeavors.” Dr. Dilts will be pursuing her on-going interests in strengthening undergraduate science education as associate dean of the College of Science and Mathematics at James Madison University in Harrisonburg , Virginia .

Pictured are (left to right):  Barbara Taylor, Director, President's Council on Service and Civic Participation; Kevin Shaffstall, Executive Director, American Humanics, William Jewell College; Chris Foreman, Campus Director, American Humanics, Eastern Michigan University; Nathan Hand, Coordinator, Recognition Programs, Points of Light Foundation.

Kevin Shaffstall, assistant professor and Associate Director of the Pryor Leadership Studies Program at William Jewell College , has been awarded the President's Volunteer Service Award from the President's Council on Service and Civic Participation. Shaffstall was recognized at a recent leadership luncheon sponsored by American Humanics, a Kansas City-based organization that promotes leadership development for non-profit organizations. “Kevin was nominated and selected for the award on the merits of his role with William Jewell's American Humanics program and related Pryor Leadership Studies Program,” said Barbara J. Keener, Vice President for Academic Partnerships at American Humanics, Inc. Keener also cited Shaffstall's volunteer service with the American Humanics Committee for Internship and Placement Programs. The President's Volunteer Service Award gives Presidential recognition to individuals, families and groups who have made a sustained commitment to volunteer service. It is presented by the President's Council on Service and Civic Participation, an initiative of the Corporation for National and Community Service administered by the Points of Light Foundation and Volunteer Center National Network.

William Jewell College began the new school year with a new Campus Minister. Jeff Buscher, a member of the William Jewell College class of 1981, has been named Campus Minister and Coordinator of Student Ministries and Community Service. Buscher comes to Jewell from Sunnyside Baptist Church in Cheyenne , Wyoming , where he served as Student Pastor and Minister of Education since 1999. He has also served churches in Kalispell , Montana ; Casper , Wyoming ; and Kansas City , Missouri . “Jeff brings to this position many strengths in missions and service projects, community involvement and leadership development, and we are pleased that he will be leading the student ministry program,” said Dr. Andy Pratt, Vice President for Religious Ministries at William Jewell. After graduating from Jewell with majors in religion and philosophy, Jeff completed a Master of Divinity degree at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in 1986. Between college and seminary, Jeff worked for two years in the Christian High Adventure program based in Montrose , Colorado . Jeff and his wife, Kayle, have two children: James, 17, and Kenna, 13.

William Jewell also welcomes the following new full-time faculty members:

Deborah Reed Scarfino, Assistant Professor of Business Administration and Computer Studies; B.A., 1977, Columbia College ; M.A., 1979, Central Michigan University .

Kelli J. Schutte, Assistant Professor of Business Administration; B.A., Calvin College; M.B.A., Western Michigan University; Ph.D., 2004, Michigan State University.

Jason A. Morrill, Assistant Professor of Chemistry; B.S., 1996, Central Missouri State University ; Ph.D., 2001, University of Missouri-Kansas City.

Lori A. Wetmore, Assistant Professor of Chemistry; B.S., 1986, M.S., 1993, Ph.D., 2000, University of Missouri-Kansas City

Ann Marie Rigler, Associate Professor of Music and College Organist; B.Mus., 1982, Southern Methodist University ; M.S., 1983, M.M., 1986, University of Illinois-Urbana-Champaign; D.M.A., 1993, University of Iowa .

Martha B. Baird, Assistant Professor of Nursing; B.S., 1979, Avila College ; M.S.N., Kansas University Medical Center .

Nancy Crigger, Associate Professor of Nursing; B.S.N., 1979, University of Kansas-Lawrence; M.S., 1980, Texas Women's University; Ph.D., 1992, M.A., 1994, University of Florida-Gainesville; Post-doctoral Family Nurse Practitioner, 2000, University of Central Florida.

Mayumi Sakata, Assistant Professor of Mathematics; B.S., 1996, M.S., 1997, Ph.D., 2001, University of Alabama-Birmingham.

Mary Margaret Brewer, Assistant Professor of Physics; B.S., 1997, Emory and Henry College ; M.S., 2001, M.S., Ph.D., 2004, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill.

John Hughes, pastor of First Baptist Church , Independence and a trustee of William Jewell College , retired in May following 33 years of service to his congregation. During Dr. Hughes' tenure, a number of deacon-led congregational ministry teams were established, and the church built new sanctuary and educational facilities in 1986. Together with his wife, Carole, Dr. Hughes was responsible for establishing a number of creative worship experiences at First Baptist, including grief recovery seminars and bereavement, hospital and homebound communion ministries. Dr. Hughes has served on the college's Board of Trustees since 1977, and served as board chairman from 1987 to 1993.

The Woman's Committee of William Jewell College presented three $1,000 scholarships to Jewell students at their spring meeting.

Pictured from the left are Maria Compton, sophomore physics major; Ashley Baker, sophomore Oxbridge Honors student majoring in molecular biology; Juarenne Hester, president of the Woman's Committee; and Laura Yepson, sophomore political science major.

Jewell alum Carrie Vanderford '03 (pictured with Hester and program chair Mary Jane Houston, right) spoke about the Truman Scholars' program. Vanderford was the second Jewell student to receive the prestigious Truman Scholarship. She is beginning her master's program at MIT this fall.

For more information about Woman's Committee membership, programs and activities, contact Judy Rychlewski at rychlewskj@william.jewell.edu