Two Alderson Broaddus Staff Members Present at Quality Matters Conference

Dr. Andrea Bucklew, associate provost, and Mr. Nathan Fortney, instructional designer, were selected to represent Alderson Broaddus University as presenters at the Quality Matters (QM) Connect Conference scheduled for October 30-November 2, 2018 in St. Louis, Missouri.

Quality Matters is a professional organization comprised globally of over 1000-member schools from across higher education, K-12 education, and educational publishing houses. The mission of Quality Matters is to promote and improve the quality of online education and student learning through the use of a standard quality assurance rubric and a system of professional development.

“Being asked to present at such a prestigious conference is a true testament to the quality of online education provided at Alderson Broaddus University,” said Bucklew. “Our number one priority is always to provide the highest quality learning experience for our students.”

Bucklew and Fortney will present “Unplugged: Using the QM Rubric Offline.” The presentation will provide information on the offline application of a QM Rubric to traditional seated and blended courses, how to apply general concepts to new and existing course design applications, and to identify strategies to foster student engagement using QM standards.

“It’s certainly an honor to be invited to speak at a conference of this magnitude, and to have the opportunity to highlight the commitment to quality our faculty demonstrate to our peers and colleagues from around the world,” said Fortney.

This conference coincides with AB’s recent accolades as the 2019 Best Online College in West Virginia. The 2019 Best Online Colleges By State rankings represents the online schools in each state that have the highest return on investment. Based on annual tuition and alumni salaries, AB ranked first in West Virginia for having an affordable tuition rate of $9,300 each year and the highest median salary of $91,000.

Alderson Broaddus offers two online programs: a bachelor’s degree completion program for licensed registered nurses (RN to BSN) and a master’s degree in teacher leader. For more information on each program, please visit: www.ab.edu/online-programs

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Alderson Broaddus University and New River Community and Technical College signed an agreement today making it easier for students who earn an associate degree to earn their bachelor’s degree.

“We’re delighted with this partnership,” said Dr. Tim Barry, president of Alderson Broaddus University. “AB’s focus is always on the student. Our goal in partnering with community and technical colleges is to streamline the pathway for students to graduate with a high-quality degree that prepares them to be well-rounded, responsible citizens ready for the workforce.”

Under the new agreement, New River CTC students who maintain at least a 2.0 grade point average (GPA) are guaranteed admission to Alderson Broaddus. Students transferring must meet the same prerequisites, GPA and other admission criteria when applying to Alderson Broaddus programs. The two institutions will work collaboratively to admit students and facilitate the process of admissions.

“This is a very exciting time for New River CTC,” said Interim President Dr. Kathy Butler. “This agreement with Alderson Broaddus gives our students another option to continue their education and makes achieving their educational goals more attainable.”

The agreement becomes effective immediately.

Alderson Broaddus (AB) University is a private, four-year institution of higher education located on a historic hilltop in Barbour County in Philippi, West Virginia. Since its founding in 1871, AB has been a leader and innovator in higher education, with accolades in the health and natural sciences.

New River Community and Technical College serves nine counties in southeastern West Virginia from the Greenbrier Valley Campus (Lewisburg), Mercer County Campus (Princeton), Nicholas County Campus (Summersville) and Raleigh County Campus (Beaver/Beckley).

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Alderson Broaddus University is featured as the Best Online College in West Virginia by SR Education Group, a ranking firm that helps students make educated decisions when choosing an online degree.

The 2019 Best Online Colleges By State rankings represents the online schools in each state that have the highest return on investment. All regionally accredited schools were analyzed based on two factors highly important to prospective students: median mid-career salary data and manually researched tuition rates.

Based on annual tuition and alumni salaries, AB ranked first in West Virginia for having an affordable tuition rate of $9,300 each year and the highest median salary of $91,000.

Alderson Broaddus offers two online programs: a bachelor’s degree completion program for licensed registered nurses (RN to BSN) and a master’s degree in teacher leader.

“This award is indicative of AB’s commitment to serving the needs of our students by offering high-quality, affordable, and flexible programs from an accredited school,” Associate Provost Andrea Bucklew said. “We hope the success of the nursing and education programs can serve as a model as we work to expand our distance education offerings into other disciplines.”

The RN to BSN program is 100% online, providing an affordable degree completion opportunity for associate degree or diploma nurses to complete a Bachelor of Science in nursing and advance their professional nursing career.

Chair of Nursing Kimberly White explains: “For an RN working full-time, the curriculum allows for a BSN degree to be completed in 18 months. The program gives registered nurses an opportunity to advance their education, and ultimately their careers, in a fast-paced curriculum, designed so they can also continue to work.”

The innovative program is built upon recent significant changes in healthcare, nursing practice, and educational theory. Students enrolled in AB’s online RN to BSN program have access to many of the same resources in-class students receive, including the University library, writing lab, and counseling services, all through an online format. Financial aid, grants, and loans are available to all eligible students. Additionally, each student is assigned a student support liaison to ensure their individual success.

The Master of Education in teacher leader program is delivered entirely online and is designed to prepare licensed Pre-K-12 teacher educators to take on new teacher leadership roles in the classroom, school, and district. The program has a full-time student and a part-time student track. The full-time option allows degree seekers to finish in one year and a summer session while the part-time option can be completed in two years and one summer session.

Dean of the College of Education & Music, Jeff Bush stated, “This program affords practicing teachers who want to stay in the classroom, the opportunity to do so while rising to leadership roles among their colleagues.”

The online course delivery will prepare teacher leaders to assume roles that include: mentor teacher, lead teacher, department chair, curriculum design specialist, academic coach, technology integration specialist, professional development specialist, and school improvement specialist.

For more information on each program or to obtain applications, please visit: www.ab.edu/online-programs

Alderson Broaddus University welcomed hundreds of guests to campus over the Homecoming weekend on Oct. 4-7. The annual celebration hosted a variety of events that featured renowned alumni and honored friends of AB.

The crowning of Homecoming King and Queen kicked-off the festivities, with students Terrell Hightower and Jaymie Snider named respectively. Hightower is a senior from Orlando, Florida representing the Lambda Omega Mu fraternity, and Snider is a senior from Grafton representing the Student Psychology Association.

“Homecoming is a special time that allows us to come back home to the mountaintop and reminisce with old friends and make new memories,” President Tim Barry said. “It’s also a time to honor those who have contributed to AB’s culture, heritage, and success over the years.”

During AB’s annual Alumni Awards Banquet, the University paid tribute to the success of its graduates by bestowing honors to five deserving alumni.

Tony A. Burdette, a 1999 graduate from Independence, Kentucky, was honored with the Alumni Achievement Award for outstanding contributions in his chosen profession. Burdette possesses a bachelor’s degree in vocal performance, church music, and music education from AB and a master’s degree in vocal performance from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music. He is the founding artistic director and conductor of voices for the Commonwealth, a 75-member adult chorus with a reputation of presenting high quality and innovative choral programs. The chorus has performed in Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center, and England.

The Distinguished Alumni Award, representing outstanding service to the University, was presented to 1971 graduate Gregg L. Montgomery of Flanders, New Jersey. Montgomery obtained his bachelor’s degree in health and physical education from AB and earned a master’s in education from East Stroudsburg. He has accumulated numerous awards during his career and continues to assist AB’s physical education program through donating valuable equipment and mentoring students.

Dean K. Wright, a 1980 graduate from Huntington, was honored with the Hu C. and Avanelle Myers Award. This award recognizes achievement and leadership in the physician assistant profession. After acquiring his master’s in physician assistant studies, Wright became the first surgical PA at Wheeling Hospital and began a rotation site for AB physician assistant students. Wright has received various honors over the years, including West Virginia Physician Assistant of the Year.

The Outstanding Young Alumni Award, which recognizes an individual for exceptional achievement in their field within 10 years of graduation, was presented to 2008 graduate Samario Clancy. Clancy received his degree in administration and management information systems from AB and possesses a master’s in technology management from Pittsburgh’s Carlow University. He now serves as a basketball analytic assistant for the Dallas Mavericks of the NBA. Clancy also created his own basketball analytics company, E3 Hoops Analytics, LLC, which provides in-depth data and video analysis to high school and club basketball teams by tracking each play and the players’ moves in every game.

Every year, a Lord and Lady are selected to preside over the Homecoming festivities. This distinction was awarded to J.D. and Linda (Funk) Long, a couple who differentiated themselves through their service, dedication, and gifts to AB. J.D. Long graduated from AB in 1980 with a bachelor’s degree in secondary education, and Linda graduated in 1982 with a bachelor’s in elementary education. They have resided in Philippi for 38 years and have devoted their lives to educating the community’s youth.

“AB has some amazing alumni, and this year we were so blessed to have so many distinguished alumni return to the mountaintop and help us celebrate one another’s lifelong achievements,” President Barry said.

This year’s Homecoming represented milestones for several groups. AB’s Class of 1968 celebrated its 50th-year reunion and induction into the E.J. Willis Society, and two Greek organizations—Phi Kappa Delta and Chi Sigma Nu—celebrated their 55th-year reunion with receptions and fellowship on campus.

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