TABOR COLLEGE
2008 was a banner year for both institutions, but it was also historic for Tabor College, which welcomed a new president, Jules Glanzer, in February and celebrated its centennial all year long.
?I am really enjoying serving in this role,? Glanzer said in a recent interview. ?There is a high sense of inner satisfaction and fulfillment and gratitude every time I walk onto campus. ?
?There is a very high commitment to the mission of the school by the employees,? he added. ?That has been amazing to watch and to experience. There?s been a lot of sacrifice by Tabor over the years, but Tabor has been a survivor. I hope we can move it to where it has more of a ?thriving? mentality.?
Glanzer?s list of highlights included:
n the year-long centennial celebration, with his official inauguration in May and the homecoming in October as major events.
n the dedication of the Centennial Plaza in October, featuring the ?Called to Serve? sculpture. ?We now have sacred space in which our vision and mission is encapsulated in bronze,? Glanzer said. ?It is a wonderful, wonderful addition to the campus.?
n record enrollment in fall of 612 students on the Hillsboro and Wichita campuses; the Hillsboro campus was at capacity for the fall semester.
n various academic achievements, including national recognition for the art work of professor Shin-Hee Chin, a book on youth ministry published by Christian ministries professor Wendell Loewen, and the 250-page history of Tabor published by the Center for Mennonite Brethren Studies.
n a ?silent highlight? of increased use of technology and pedology, including a record 16 online courses offered this summer.
n the unveiling of a new trademark logo?a crossed ?T? in vivid Tabor blue?that has drawn ?unbelievable? reviews from constituents, according to Glanzer.
USD 410
USD 410 Superintendent Doug Huxman guided the district through his first full calendar year after succeeding Gordon Mohn in an interim role in summer 2007.
As 2008 ended, the board of education was fully engaged in the search process for a permanent successor.
In between, the district celebrated the completion of two of the building projects approved by voters in June 2007: the addition of new dressing rooms, coaches offices and weight room at the high school; and additional classroom space, a new dining and kitchen facility and parking and traffic-flow improve?ments at the elementary school.
In September, the board approved the purchase of property on Date Street from Midway Motors to house the district?s transportation facility and central-office space sometime in the future.
Beyond those brick-and-mortar accomplishments, the USD 410 list of highlights included:
n having Hillsboro High School recognized as one of 39 high schools in Kansas to be ?bronze medalists? for academic achievements by U.S. News & World Report.
n helping develop a welding program proposed by Butler Community College and Hills?boro Industries; the program is available for high school students as well as adults.
n recognizing a record nine valedictorians, each with a 4.0 grade-point average, at the commencement for HHS seniors in May.
n the passage of a new school-board representation plan that reduced the number of defined districts from six to three, but increased representation from each district from one to two people; with one at large member, the new board will still have seven members.
