Newberry College Announces Plans for Inauguration of New President V. Scott Koerwer

NEWBERRY, S.C., Nov. 4, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Newberry College, a Lutheran-affiliated liberal arts college founded here in 1856, today announced plans for the inauguration of its 21st president, Dr. V. Scott Koerwer, at 10 am on Saturday, November 13, 2010.

The inauguration ceremony will be held in the Wiles Chapel on campus and is open to anyone in the community to attend. The event will culminate a week of festivities and programs taking place as the college officially welcomes Dr. Koerwer as its new president. Highlights will include events with the National Leadership Honor Society (ODK), the Newberry Chamber of Commerce and Newberry College Faculty and Staff.  Friday's activities will feature the Founders/ Honors Convocation and luncheon. A more detailed schedule for the week can be found at http://www.newberry.edu.

On Saturday, the inauguration ceremony will include guest speaker Dr. Gerald Suarez, Professor of the Practice Systems Thinking & Design at the University of Maryland's Robert H. Smith School of Business. An educator, presenter and consultant on organizational design, Suarez previously served under two administrations in the White House as the Director of Presidential Quality.

Following the guest speaker, Dr. Koerwer, a senior business school administrator, entrepreneur and authority on leadership and strategy who became the College's president on July 1, will receive his investiture as president. In doing so, he will also officially become a tenured member of the Newberry faculty. He will then deliver remarks to an audience of faculty, staff, alumni, students, families and members of the Newberry community.

"This is a day to celebrate both Newberry College and the Town of Newberry," Dr. Koerwer said. "It is a great opportunity to look back and be proud of all that has been accomplished here and the strong commitment to education in this community. My sincere hope is that someday in the future, we will be able to look back and see that this was a defining moment for all of us as we begin our next chapter together."

The college has a long tradition of providing educational opportunities for a diverse population of students, offering a strong liberal arts foundation with specialized professional degree programs, including one of the only undergraduate forensic chemistry programs in the state and a music program widely known for its annual jazz festival.

Recently, Newberry was recognized by U.S. News & World Report, as one of the top regional colleges in the nation, ranking No. 35 in the southern region. In the report, the school showed increases in key factors within the U.S. News rankings, including its highest freshman retention rate and highest average alumni-giving rate. This fall's freshman class also marks the highest enrollment in Newberry's history.

The Town of Newberry is also seeing a renaissance of late. The Newberry Opera House is hosting consistently sold-out performances of nationally-recognized musicians and theatrical productions. Newberry's historic downtown district includes a growing number of antique shops, art galleries, fine dining, concerts, bed and breakfast and numerous parks. As part of his vision for the future of liberal arts education, Dr. Koerwer has talked about the tremendous opportunity to build the inter-connections between the college and the vibrant cultural aspects of the community.

The college has launched several new initiatives recently as part of campus-wide efforts to expand its academic profile and enhance the student experience:

• Along with its teacher education and expanding business programs, Newberry has now established a new nursing department, offering a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in nursing for pre-licensure students. The program is approved by the State Board of Nursing for South Carolina, enabling graduates to take the licensing exam (NCLEX-RN) to become registered nurses. The program is partnered with Lexington Medical Center, a hospital in nearby West Columbia.

• The Summerland Honors Program offers top students a series of interdisciplinary seminars over three years focused on the theme "A Quest for Identity." The students engage in self-reflection from various perspectives including arts and humanities, natural and social sciences along with community service. A capstone community service project is completed in their senior year.

• The Center of Excellence for Teacher Retention, funded through a five-year grant from the South Carolina Commission on Higher Education, provides the Department of Education with the opportunity to increase teacher retention in South Carolina public schools. The program, in partnership with local schools, provides mentoring, professional development and research.

• Newberry also has a competitive intercollegiate athletics program where student athletes are challenged to develop their leadership on the field, in the classrooms and throughout the community. Last year, the college launched a new program called the Order of the Gray Stripe, a group of football players specially chosen by the coaches. Distinguished on the playing field by the wearing of a gray stripe down their helmets, the elite order team members sign an oath to display character, leadership and honor beyond just the football field.

About Newberry College

A private, residential, co-educational, college with a diverse student population, Newberry College offers baccalaureate degrees in 24 majors, 31 minors, and 27 areas of concentration. Founded in 1856 by the Lutheran Church, the college is accredited by The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education, and the National Association of Schools of Music. Core courses emphasize liberal arts, sciences, and technology. The college has a radio and television station, and offers 15 NCAA Division II sports. For more information visit www.newberry.edu.

SOURCE Newberry College