Evening Division & Continuing Education

November 13, 2008

To: Members of the William Jewell College community
From: David L. Sallee, President, William Jewell College
Re: Evening Division classes

In October of 2007, the William Jewell College Board of Trustees adopted a comprehensive strategic plan to chart the future course of the College. At the heart of the plan is a promise to provide an outstanding liberal arts education within a living and learning environment that fosters leadership, service and the opportunity for personal development.

The strategic plan also affirms the value of using our resources--human, physical, environmental and fiscal--responsibly. In working toward that strategic goal, the College’s leadership has determined that the students of William Jewell College can be served best by focusing on our core mission of providing a superior national liberal arts experience within a traditional residential College community.

Effective with the spring semester of 2009, the College will suspend its continuing education program for adult learners, including online programs and evening classes. Since its founding in 1974, the College’s Evening Division has graduated more than 600 students who have received a superb education that has prepared them for a life of work and service to the community. Their individual accomplishments will endure, as will our collective pride in them as alumni of William Jewell College.

The institution remains deeply committed to serving the larger community. Outstanding programs such as the Harriman-Jewell Series, the Perspectives on the Common Good lecture series and the Community School of Music will continue to extend the College’s reach into the Liberty and Kansas City communities. The Mabee Center for Physical Education programming will also continue to be an active point of contact between the College and the community.

While this strategic decision calls for a clear focus and deliberate movement toward the goal of serving our core constituency of residential students, we are equally committed to providing those Evening Division students who are within a few courses of completing their degree the opportunity to finish their program of studies. The options for upper-level degree-seeking students will be evaluated on an individual basis. Please contact Dr. Steve Schwegler, director of academic services and associate dean for continuing education, at 816-781-7700, extension 5411, or by email at schweglers@william.jewell.edu.

David L. Sallee
President