TABLE OF
CONTENTS Cover: More than 300 Bellevue University students received degrees at the 2020 commencement ceremony held on Saturday, Aug. 1, at Werner Park. The ceremony was pushed back and moved to an outdoor location due to the pandemic. All university staff and volunteers, as well as graduates and attendees, wore face masks. President’s Message…. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 One Year into DBA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Vets with Connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 New Instructor’s Full Circle Journey… . . . . . . 5 Scholarship Student’s Resilience . . . . . . . . . . . 6-7 Summer Commencement…. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-9 Around Campus - New Greenhouse…. . . . 10-11 Professors’ Classroom Innovation…. . . . . . . . 12 Alum Leads at Next Level…. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Grad Lands DISA Internship . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Backpacks for Homeless Vets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Great Colleges Recognition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
OUTSTANDING IN
THEIR FIELD
This time last year, we had no idea what we would face together in 2020. However, as you will see in this issue of The View magazine, Bellevue University students, faculty and team members have pressed on and continued to achieve in the midst of the global pandemic. Mission Statement Bellevue University provides career-oriented, cost effective, open access education through select undergraduate, graduate and professional programs. Vision In a rapidly changing higher education environment, Bellevue University boldly adapts and innovates so our students and university can be wildly successful. Values Integrity in all we do Value of education Student Success Innovative Care for Others
2 | The View
One of the most visible changes took place in August, when we held our Spring Commencement ceremony outdoors. On a beautiful summer morning, more than 300 students received their degrees at Werner Park, a ballpark near Papillion, Nebraska. You can read more about the unconventional ceremony and the inspiring journey of our student speaker Jasmine Stephens on page 8. Another Bellevue University student who is clearly distinguishing herself is Ashley Hampton. Ashley is already an alum – she earned her MBA in 2016 – and she’s part of the university’s first-ever Doctorate of Business Administration cohort class. Ashley’s applied doctoral project, on the pay gap between black and white college
graduates, is an important topic to her, to her three children, and I believe, is very timely. As an alumnus, you know real life learning that brings people together is an essential part of the Bellevue University experience. An example of that is a unique Thinking by Design course, developed developed by Professors Brian Kear and JoDee Goracke that reaches across continents to connect students in the States with students in Tanzania. You can read more about this international collaboration on page12. While no one can predict exactly what 2021 will hold, I can unreservedly say that our Bellevue University alumni – 60,000-plus strong and counting – will continue to serve as outstanding leaders who are working to change their lives and the lives of those around them for the better.
Dr. Mary Hawkins President, Bellevue University
