Wednesday, November 4
12:00 PM
Noon recital
Wilcox Chapel
Admission is free
AB POISED TO CREATE BRIGHT FUTURE
Board of Trustees Chairman, Dr. Ron Burbick, Addresses Recent Events in Statement
PHILIPPI, W.Va. – Alderson Broaddus University Board of Trustees Chairman Dr. Ron Burbick is addressing recent campus events on behalf of the Board with the following statement.
“In 2011, AB envisioned a transformation as it embarked on an ambitious program of enrollment growth. We put this plan into action with the development of the Alderson Broaddus Strategic Plan. The initial phase was a period of very rapid growth in enrollment (doubling enrollment in four years) accompanied by construction of new residential halls, a multi-sport performance stadium, renovations to several existing buildings and creating a vibrant campus. These are outlined in the Strategic Plan as Priorities One and Two. Given the health of our enrollment which has contributed to financial stability over the past four years, thanks to the affinity bonding model, we have set the foundation to create a sustainable future.
We have also begun Priority Three which is “Growing the Academic Experience” by adding several new academic initiatives. This phase of the Strategic Plan was expertly led by Dr. Creehan. The focus now, however, is on moderate enrollment growth; more of which will come from graduate level programs (several of which we hope will receive final accreditation soon and others to come in future years), online programs, and cooperative arrangements such as our Petroleum Management completion degree, continuing Priority Three of the Strategic Plan.
With the rapid growth, the AB Board of Trustees and President Creehan came to the realization and understanding that AB is entering a different phase of its Strategic Plan. We have been examining and working on restructuring some of our finances to ensure AB continues on a viable and financially stable path. It will also be a period of closer monitoring of expenditures than is typical in a rapid growth phase.
Consistent with our goal to operate more efficiently, and in accordance with the ongoing academic audit of all programs started in 2012, the Board of Trustees also voted on October 24, 2015, to discontinue two music majors: musical arts and music performance. While we have stellar faculty who have truly provided a conservatory level of experience for our students in these two majors, they are not viable going forward given program enrollment levels. Students currently enrolled in these programs will be able to finish their degrees. We will still offer a Music Education major along with music ensembles, including our popular, long-standing “The West Virginians” made up of the most talented students in the region. These ensembles are currently populated by not only music majors, but students from across many of our curriculums.
Given the progress of the past four years under the leadership of President Creehan, we are poised to continue progress according to our strategic plan and continue to provide a high quality education in a liberal arts institution based in Christian values, as has always been the case.”
USAF LANGLEY WINDS TO PERFORM AT AB
Community invited to free concert on November 10
PHILIPPI, W.Va. – Enjoy a concert by the United States Air Force (USAF) Langley Winds of the USAF Heritage of America Band at Alderson Broaddus University in Wilcox Chapel on Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2015 at 7:30 p.m. The concert is free and open to the public.
Langley Winds is a pioneering woodwind and percussion ensemble offering innovative programming covering a wide array of musical styles. Employing a unique blend of instruments, Langley Winds performs creative arrangements and new compositions. Enjoy hearing these orchestral solo instruments in an intimate chamber music setting.
Alderson Broaddus is excited to host this prestigious event and invites all students, faculty, staff and the community to attend. The University also hopes the event will attract musicians from schools in the county and music enthusiasts from the community.
For additional information about this free concert, please contact the Alderson Broaddus University School of Music at 304/457-6200 or visit the band’s website at www.heritageofamericaband.af.
Activated in 1941, The United States Air Force Heritage of America Band has a rich history of inspiring public patriotism and enhancing esprit de corps among all the US military service branches. These world-class musicians are stationed at Joint Base Langley-Eustis in Hampton, Virginia. They travel throughout the Carolinas, Mid-Atlantic and Northeast regions, presenting over 300 events annually for the general public and in support of Airman morale and protocol events. The USAF Heritage of America Band remains at the forefront of communicating Air Force core values and preserving and enriching America’s military and musical heritage into the 21st century.
For more information on the Alderson Broaddus University School of Music, please visit www.ab.edu.
AB SCHOOL OF MUSIC TO PRESENT HANDEL’S MESSIAH
Community volunteers encouraged to participate in concert
PHILIPPI, W.Va. – The community is invited to join the Alderson Broaddus University School of Music University Chorale in the production of George Frideric Handel’s oratorio Messiah, under the directorship of Mr. Jim Tong. Community Singers are invited to participate in singing selections of Messiah choruses in a series of rehearsals this Fall and the Messiah Concert on Sunday December 6, 2015 at 4pm.
All Rehearsals will be held in Wilcox Chapel on Alderson Broaddus University’s campus in Philippi. The Messiah Community Singers Rehearsal Dates are as follows:
10/26/2015 – Monday 6-7:45pm
11/2/2015 – Monday 6-7:45pm
11/9/2015 – Monday 6-7:45pm
11/18/2015 – Wednesday 6-7:45pm
11/30/2015 – Monday 6-7:45pm
12/5/2015 – Saturday 3-5pm (Run-through Rehearsal)
12/6/2015 – Sunday Call Time at 2:30pm. Concert at 4pm.
The Selections of Messiah Choruses include: And the glory of the Lord; O thou that tellest good tidings to Zion; Glory to God; Surely he hath borne our griefs; The Lord gave the word Hallelujah; and Since by man came death.
For more information, please call the School of Music at 304.457.6200. Please also check the events page for schedule changes.
ALDERSON BROADDUS UNIVERSITY PRESIDENT RESIGNS
Dr. Richard Creehan to step down at end of fall semester
PHILIPPI, W.Va. – On Friday, October 23, 2015, Alderson Broaddus University President Dr. Richard Creehan informed the campus community and Board of Trustees that he will resign as president, effective December 18, 2015.
“I am honored and extremely grateful to have had the opportunity to serve Alderson Broaddus for I have developed a deep and abiding love for this University,” said Dr. Richard Creehan. “I want to thank the board of trustees, faculty, staff, students, and alumni for their unwavering support over the past four years. I also had the pleasure of living in Philippi, a town that has embraced me, and appreciate all the support I have received from the citizens of Barbour County.”
Creehan took over as the 9th president of Alderson Broaddus on June 1, 2011. Prior to joining AB, he was the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Adrian College in Michigan since 2005.
Under Creehan’s leadership, the University’s enrollment has grown from 500 in August 2011, to 1,201 in just four years. The largest freshman class in the school’s history entered in the fall of 2013 with a staggering 447 new students, surpassing 2012’s record-breaking class of 406 freshmen.
“I have made the decision to resign with the intention to keep Alderson Broaddus continuing and moving forward,” said Creehan. “I have taken Alderson Broaddus through extraordinary growth and completed the first part of our strategic plan. This has been the capstone experience of a career and the thrill of a life time and I will depart in December with nothing but fond memories.”
Massive construction projections including a nationally recognized multi-sport performance stadium; four brand new residence halls, including apartment and suite-style options; campus-wide renovations including the Campus Center, the Coliseum, aquatics center, the three existing residential halls, and the refurbishment of Funkhouser Auditorium and the Joan Burbick Lecture Hall as well as the dedication of Cunningham Plaza were all completed under the direction of President Creehan.
He also supported the Board of Trustees decision in April 2013 to move from college status to that of a comprehensive university including the creation of the Council of Deans, and the associated realignment of the University into five colleges.
President Creehan’s vision in support of the AB mission has brought new vitality to the campus. The mountaintop community is once again thriving and AB is stronger than ever. The culture has turned into one of vibrancy and the dynamic atmosphere can be felt by current and prospective students, alumni, faculty and staff, and throughout the local community.
Since his arrival, Alderson Broaddus has been recognized across the country. The University was named the region’s Success Story of the Year for 2014, and continues to rise in national rankings.
Dr. Ron Burbick, Chairman of the Board said, “We are grateful for Dr. Creehan’s service to Alderson Broaddus and the advances he has made to the school and its programs. We wish him and his wife, Beth, all of God’s many blessings in the future, and we are now looking forward to entering the next stage of our strategic vision.”
A Pennsylvania native, Creehan earned his bachelor’s degree in Education from California University of Pennsylvania in 1976 and a master’s degree in Educational Administration from The University of Dayton in 1981. During commencement on May 11, 2013, President Creehan was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Education from Alderson Broaddus.