Phillip Bennett, dean of the Teachers College, listens as President Shonrock speaks about his time at ESU. Bennett has been the dean of the Teachers College for 11 years. Yo Han Kim/The Bulletin
A parade of friends, family and coworkers were greeted with hugs and handshakes at a retirement reception for Phillip Bennett, dean of the Teachers College, Monday afternoon.
“It was more than any one person deserves,” Bennett said. “It was very nice, and I was very pleased with all the compliments.”
The reception at the Sauder Alumni Center drew a crowd of about 60. Among those attending were President Michael Shonrock and Provost Tes Mehring. Both gave short speeches honoring the dean. Then Bennett’s family and friends took the podium sharing stories and praising him.
“Years from now, Phil’s innovations will pay dividends to the college,” said Ken Weaver, associate dean of the Teachers College. “We celebrate Phil’s countless contributions, not just to the college, not just to Emporia State University, not just to the National Teachers Hall of Fame, but to Kansas and the profession.”
During his speech, Shonrock deemed Bennett “genuine” and “passionate.”
“While we recognize his numerous contributions, they are numerous, there is one that we should remember. His contributions have changed the lives of so many students,” Shonrock said.
Bennett has worked for the university for 11 years, first as the associate dean of the Teachers College before being promoted to dean.
“What drew me to ESU is the fact that they are so strong in teacher education,” Bennett said. “I wanted to come back to the Midwest after making the decision to leave South Carolina. I had two or three places that I had interviews or possibilities, but I basically turned them all down but this one. I guess it was a good thing that I got it.”
Bennett said his emphasis and advancements with technology and mobile learning have been his biggest accomplishments in his time at the university.
“They had the technology already, I have just been pushing it towards mobile learning,” Bennett said. “I would rather see them as ‘how can we use the cell phone,’ rather than just telling students to turn them off.”
According to Bennett, the process of finding a new dean has already started with phone interviews, but no candidates have been announced. Marie Miller, dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, is leading the search for his replacement.
During his retirement, Bennett said he plans to travel, visiting family and friends. He also said he has no plans on leaving the Emporia community and will stay involved with the university and the Teachers Hall of Fame.
Rocky Robinson
PUBLIC FORUM
Daily News (Los Angeles, CA) December 17, 2009 Municipal mediocrity Re “83rd in the nation” (Dec. 15):
It is no wonder Los Angeles water quality places so low in the nation’s water quality assessment; everything this city undertakes has the stench of mediocrity about it. From its failing infrastructure, water supply lines bursting every other day, to its inability to contain storm water resulting in flooded streets every time anything greater than half an inch of rain falls from the sky.
Add to that its lack of any long-term planning when it comes to moving people about the city (the best the so-called city planners can come up with is to build more freeway lanes or express busways that add to already congested streets), and it is evident that elected officials starting with the mayor are only interested in maintaining the old boys club. If there is one truth in the entire sorry mess called Los Angeles city government, it is that you get what you vote for.
- LAWRENCE A. CALABRO Northridge Finger pointing Re “Infinite jest” (Editorial, Dec. 16):
Why is it whenever a discussion comes up about water and power rates going up, pipes breaking, etc., and the question is referred to a council person, the answer is “We will look into this, and get it resolved.” Or they come up with some reason other than the truth, which is that the City Council approved the rates going up or approved the pay raises backed by high powered unions? go to website global warming hoax
When will the public finally get that the basic causes of 95 percent or more of the real problems, can be truthfully be traced in one form or the other to the council approving or recommending those changes?
- JOHN ADAMS Camarillo Never go back Re “Classic court battle” (Dec. 16):
A few weeks ago my wife and I decided to pick up a few items at the Vons in the El Camino Shopping Center. Being that my ’32 Ford high boy was in the driveway, we decided to take her out. As I pulled onto the lot, we were stopped by a very unruly and unkempt security guard who verbally accosted us. see here global warming hoax
Never in my 66 years have I heard such language. He had no reason to talk to us that way. I tried to explain that if we are not welcome we’ll leave. But no, he had to slap his hands down on my hood, and when I told him to take his hands off the car I was told “get out now or you won’t be able to get out when I’m done with you.” We left, and as far as I am concerned, we will never go back to the El Camino Shopping Center again.
- HARVEY APPARIS Canoga Park Bad ad image The current AT&T TV advertisement is the worst I have seen – very degrading to family values. A wife points the remote control at her husband because he wants to change channels; kids points the remote control at mom. Looks like a gun, bad image.
I complained to the company, but it seems to have landed on deaf ears as the ad is still on. I believe it should be pulled. Children are very vulnerable. Maybe if the company sees this in print, they might do something about it.
- HARRIET JONES Northridge Leave Tiger alone Re “Dropping Woods just doesn’t add up” (Sports, Hoffarth, Dec. 15):
I agree with Tom Hoffarth. I also wonder why are we persecuting Tiger Woods for his personal and private transgressions? He’s the greatest golfer we’ve ever had, and it would be in the best interests of our society for him to continue to do what they love to see him do.
There are many others who have committed sexual transgressions – athletes, legislators, actors and other pubic figures – but they continue their public activities. Let’s leave Tiger alone, and let him settle his problems in private.
- MELVIN H. KIRSCHNER Granada Hills Still melting There’s one little nagging reality problem for the conservative media and their fairy tale that there is a “global warming hoax” and that the world is actually cooling. They forgot to tell that to the world’s glaciers, ice sheets and permafrost. They’re still melting.
- HOWARD BARR Santa Clarita
