CAMPUS NEWS
Leadership Transitions Dr. Steve Eckman was named chancellor by the York College trustees effective July 2020. Eckman stepped down this summer after serving since 2009 as the College’s 20th president in its 129year history. Managing Hulitt Hall renovations will be a primary focus for Eckman and one that is close to his heart. When asked about the next phase of his life, Eckman Eckman stated, “I have spent most of my career in Christian education and look forward to having more time to interact with students and work on renovations to Hulitt Hall.”
Alumni Agree to Serve as Trustees ree new members have joined the York College board of Th trustees, according to board chair Dr. R. Wayne White ’63. YC alumni, Dr. C. Shawn Bengtson ’80 of Bellevue, Neb., Dr. Scott Abraham ’99 of Kansas City, Kan., and Dr. Aaron Fletcher ’02 of Woodland Park, Colo., became the college’s newest trustees this summer. “Each of these three has demonstrated their loyalty for the college and its mission,” White said. “They are vocal about good memories of their personal York experiences; they have been consistently generous in their financial support, and they all represent the college in an exemplary way professionally and spiritually. I am thankful for the talents and experiences these three alumni bring to the board.”
Dr. C. Shawn Bengtson ’80 Bengtson is vice president, investment with Woodmen of the World Life Insurance Society. She holds a Ph.D. in business with an interdepartmental focus in finance, investments and banking from the University of Nebraska – Lincoln. She has worked in the insurance industry since 1982 and has also served in faculty and administrative roles in higher Bengtson education with Creighton University, College of Saint Mary and Bellevue University, all in the Omaha area. Bengtson was one of the original members of the York College President’s Council when it began in 2009 and served as council chair from 2015-2019. Bengtson was a member of the acappella chorus and East Hill Minstrels during her student days at York College.
After serving as chancellor for more than a decade, Dr. R. Wayne Baker has been named chancellor emeritus by the York College trustees. Baker served as president from 1996 to 2009, accepting the role of chancellor at his retirement. Regarding the transitions Dr. R. Wayne White ’63, YC board chair, said, “We wanted to acknowledge Dr. Eckman's contributions to York College, and we are Baker grateful for his willingness to continue using his considerable talents for the College in the years ahead.” White added, “Dr. Baker led the college during much of our transition to a four-year college in the 1990s, and we are pleased to recognize his legacy and love with emeritus status.”
Dr. Scott Abraham ’99 Abraham, who resides with his wife Beth, two sons and a daughter in Bucyrus, Kan., is an orthopedic surgeon with Apex Orthopedics and Sports Medicine in the Overland Park area. He was among the first students to receive a bachelor’s degree in the sciences from York College when four-year programs were added in the 1990s. He earned his medical degree from the University Abraham of Kansas-Wichita and completed his residency at the University of Tennessee-Campbell Clinic in Memphis. While a YC student, Abraham played four years of varsity Panther basketball.
Dr. Aaron Fletcher ’02 Fletcher serves as managing director of Bios Partners, a life sciences venture firm based in Fort Worth, Texas. He is the founder and president of Bios Research, a financial services firm that provides healthcare industry research focused on the biotech and med-tech sub-sectors. Fletcher is also a visiting professor at Dallas Baptist University. He earned his Ph.D. in biochemistry from Colorado Fletcher State University after he completed his bachelor’s degree at York College. Fletcher was a distance runner for the track and cross country teams throughout his undergraduate years. Aaron and his wife, Holly (’03), have two daughters. “These new members strengthen our board and its position to support York College on so many levels,” White added. “We are indeed fortunate to have the degrees of expertise and varied perspectives that they bring to the table. I am excited about what their additions mean to the future of York College.” FALL 2020 |
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