Thompson, the 26^th聽president in Culver-Stockton鈥檚 167-year history, is retiring on June 30, 2020. She has led the college for six years and was the first woman president of the college.

The surprise presentation was made during an online meeting of the faculty assembly. The proclamation was read by Dr. Chad DeWaard, chair of the faculty assembly and an associate professor of political science.

The proclamation noted that Thompson led the fundraising efforts for the Carolyn L. and Robert W. Brown Residence Center, a $3 million facility that was completed in 2017, and an experiential learning center to be built as an addition to the Gladys Crown Student Center, as well as renovations to nearly every other building on campus.

It also lauded Thompson for her efforts to support Culver-Stockton鈥檚 12 plus 3 academic semester calendar and its emphasis on experiential education. During Thompson鈥檚 tenure, the college launched an online graduate program for those seeking a master鈥檚 degree in education; announced an agreement with the University of Missouri that allows students to enter law school earlier; added a Master of Athletic Training program; and created an esports program and a women鈥檚 lacrosse program.

The proclamation praised Thompson for leading the 鈥淐ulver-Stockton: Changing Lives!鈥� comprehensive campaign that was designed to raise $25 million during an eight-year timeframe but far exceeded its goal, raising nearly $35 million and accomplishing most of its goals two years ahead of schedule. She also was congratulated for keeping enrollment numbers consistently strong. Total enrollment has topped more than 1,000 students for five consecutive years.

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Dr. Palmer has served as provost, vice president of academic affairs and dean at Walsh University in North Canton, Ohio, since 2015. He was responsible for academics (five schools and one stand-alone division), enrollment management (for undergraduates, graduates and adults), retention, assessment and institutional effectiveness, the library, the academic resource center, advising, experiential learning, career services and accreditation. He also was secretary for the Board of Trustees, and he was acting president for a portion of 2018 during a medical leave of the president.

鈥淥n behalf of the trustees, Culver-Stockton welcomes Dr. Palmer to the College,鈥� said Ron Leftwich 鈥�64, chairman of the Board of Trustees. 鈥淗e brings strong academic experience and leadership, and we look forward to working with him as the College focuses on the future and enhancing the student experience through our experiential learning curriculum.鈥�

Dr. Palmer鈥檚 accomplishments at Walsh include:

• Directing the building design planning and assisting with the development and fundraising for the $11.4 million Marlene and Joe Toot Global Learning Center, a 44,000 square foot facility which opened in 2018.
• Establishing Walsh鈥檚 first research institutes 鈥� the Institute for Community Health and the Food Design Institute, which were designed to allow faculty, students and guests to work towards solutions on issues that affect local and global communities.
• Developing the Brother Francis Blouin Global Scholars Program, a living-learning community dedicated to developing students as leaders in service with a global perspective, in 2012.
• Adding 11 online programs for adult-degree completion.
• Leading the effort to rebrand and reorganize the adult-learner programs as the Walsh University Digital Campus.
• Spearheading the launch of Walsh鈥檚 undergraduate degree program in museum studies, the only program of its kind offered in Ohio and throughout the Midwest.
• Raising funds for two named professorships.
• Leading academic affairs and enrollment management to ensure enrollment and revenue projections to deliver a balanced budget each year.

“I am deeply humbled and honored by the invitation of the Board of Trustees to serve as Culver-Stockton’s 27th president,鈥� Dr. Palmer said. 鈥淐ulver-Stockton’s focus on students and emphasis on experiential learning tell me that this is a place of creativity and innovation. It is leading in preparing students for the jobs of the 21st century. My family and I can’t wait to meet everyone on 鈥榯he Hill鈥� and to become part of the Culver-Stockton family. Go Wildcats!鈥�

Dr. Palmer holds a doctorate in European history from The Ohio State University, a master鈥檚 degree in modern European history from the University of Oregon and a bachelor鈥檚 degree in history from the University of North Carolina at Asheville. He was a Fulbright Scholar in Utrecht, the Netherlands, in 2001-02, and he was a research fellow at the Emory University School of Law in 2004-05.

Before taking his current position, Dr. Palmer was the assistant dean of academic innovation and a professor of history at Walsh.

He also served as a paratrooper in the U.S. Army鈥檚 82^nd聽Airborne Division in Fort Bragg, N.C., from 1989 to 1993. Both Dr. Palmer and his wife Catherine grew up in Pittsburgh, Pa. Together they have three sons and live in Canton, Ohio.

鈥淒r. Palmer is the right leader for us based on his passion for experiential learning, his experience with innovative graduate and online programs, and his deep understanding of the value of a small, liberal arts college education.聽 We are excited to welcome him to the 乱伦社区 family,鈥� said Dr. Lauren Schellenberger, vice president for academic affairs and dean of the College.

A reception to introduce Dr. Palmer and his family to the community will be held at a later date.

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C-SC is challenged to raise the $560,200 balance of donations for the project to receive the Mabee Foundation鈥檚 $100,000 grant. The grant will help complete the $1.25 million construction project, which is part of the聽Culver-Stockton Changing Lives!聽comprehensive campaign.

“We are so honored to be selected by the Mabee Foundation for their ongoing and generous support of Culver-Stockton’s mission to prepare students of promise for a dynamic world,” C-SC president Dr. Kelly M. Thompson said. 鈥淪tudents, faculty and staff will benefit from this amazing gift.鈥�

To date, more than 80 percent of the funding has been raised to meet the challenge grant.

The proposed learning center is expected to cost about $1.25 million. It will serve as a laboratory and display area for showcasing the college’s experiential learning program, which highlights seven types of experiential learning 鈥� creative expression, leadership, simulations, professional experience, service learning, travel, and research and innovation. It also will provide resources on experiential teaching and learning for faculty and students.

The J.E. and L.E. Mabee Foundation has assisted in several campus construction projects, most recently the Carolyn L. and Robert W. Brown Residence Hall, a $3 million facility completed in 2017.

The J.E. and L.E. Mabee Foundation, Inc., a non-profit corporation, was formed in 1948 by Missouri natives John E. Mabee and his wife, Lottie E. Mabee.聽The purposes of the foundation are to aid Christian religious organizations, charitable organizations, institutions of higher learning, hospitals and other organizations of a general charitable nature within a six-state region.

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Pictured are Chad Porter, left, president and CEO of the Bank of Monticello, and 乱伦社区 president Kelly Thompson.

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