Page 79 - UB Church and Shen Univ
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Volume 6 Relation of U.B/EUB Virginia Conferences to Shenandoah University Dec. 26, 2013
New Health Science Programs. Several additional new health science programs followed the
development of the Physical Therapy Program and helped to establish the University as a major center
for rehabilitation sciences, clinical practice, and research. Dr. Charlotte Royeen, a leader in
accreditation for Occupational Therapy, started a masters-level program, and the University started a
Pharmacy doctoral-level program. A Nurse Practitioner master’s degree was added; an athletic training
master’s degree complemented the Physical Therapy Program; a Physician Assistant master’s degree
gained approval; and a Doctorate of Nursing Practice was added to form a solid basis for the University
in health professions education. The Business School added certificates in Health Care Administration
at the bachelors and masters level. The Conservatory expanded its music therapy offerings to the
masters level. By 2000, more than 1,000 students were enrolled in health-related programs, and the
enrollment of the new programs exceeded the original size of the entire college/conservatory. These
programs opened new avenues of cooperation with the Medical Center that had transitioned to Valley
Health Systems through several acquisitions of other hospitals in the region.
This partnership between the University and the Medical Center became a model for institutions
in other states and for a private university in Japan. Indeed, Kuyshu University of Health Sciences in
Nebokia, Japan, was created similar in design to the Shenandoah University Health Sciences programs.
Dr. Tutsami Kake, who visited Shenandoah several times, created the new college in cooperation with
the Japanese government. He invited Dr. Davis and Trustee Jim Wilkins and his wife Ronnie to the
opening ceremonies at which an honorary degree was presented to President Davis.
Information Technology. In the 1990s technology usage on university campuses was
expanding at a rapid rate, and the Internet was spreading extensively throughout the world of higher
education. The University was able to obtain the su.edu web domain in competition with Syracuse,
Stanford, Swanee, and a dozen other “SU” institutions. Today, the domain www.su.edu is emblematic
of Shenandoah University. Quiaser Abaser, who came to the University from California, advanced the
technology at the University to competitive levels quickly with a hard-wired campus, a wireless campus,
use of servers and mini-computers, and universal Internet access for all students with leased computers
and maintenance programs for them. The University’s use of the Internet, computers, and distance-
learning strategies placed it in the forefront of college and universities around the country and world.
The University initiated a number of educational programs that were offered on line in the areas of
Pharmacy, Teaching English as a Second Language, and Physical Therapy.
Alson H. Smith Library. During this expansion period, several physical-plant initiatives helped
to advance the University in quality and reputation. William Hazel, donor and friend of the University,
made a major donation to help design a new library and build it in honor of Alson H. Smith, Jr., who
was a trustee, member of the General Assembly for 20 years, and mentor to the president. The Alson H.
Smith Library was a beautiful addition to the campus and provided the intellectual community a center
for its work. The University trustees decided, after tense debate, to borrow $3 million to complete the
funding of the library facility. This decision opened the way for a larger bond issue 6 years later to fund
new facilities for the Conservatory. The library became the hub of activity on campus including the
Center for Technology. Al Smith and his wife Marguerite were life-long supporters of the University,
and their portrait in the building is a living monument to their effective work on behalf of students and
the community. The library building and brick courtyard became the backdrop for many years of May
graduation exercises, as more than 4,000 chairs and a stage were assembled each year for
Commencement ceremonies. More than 400 students received their diplomas in a personal ceremony
Davis on History of S.C., 1982-2008 69
New Health Science Programs. Several additional new health science programs followed the
development of the Physical Therapy Program and helped to establish the University as a major center
for rehabilitation sciences, clinical practice, and research. Dr. Charlotte Royeen, a leader in
accreditation for Occupational Therapy, started a masters-level program, and the University started a
Pharmacy doctoral-level program. A Nurse Practitioner master’s degree was added; an athletic training
master’s degree complemented the Physical Therapy Program; a Physician Assistant master’s degree
gained approval; and a Doctorate of Nursing Practice was added to form a solid basis for the University
in health professions education. The Business School added certificates in Health Care Administration
at the bachelors and masters level. The Conservatory expanded its music therapy offerings to the
masters level. By 2000, more than 1,000 students were enrolled in health-related programs, and the
enrollment of the new programs exceeded the original size of the entire college/conservatory. These
programs opened new avenues of cooperation with the Medical Center that had transitioned to Valley
Health Systems through several acquisitions of other hospitals in the region.
This partnership between the University and the Medical Center became a model for institutions
in other states and for a private university in Japan. Indeed, Kuyshu University of Health Sciences in
Nebokia, Japan, was created similar in design to the Shenandoah University Health Sciences programs.
Dr. Tutsami Kake, who visited Shenandoah several times, created the new college in cooperation with
the Japanese government. He invited Dr. Davis and Trustee Jim Wilkins and his wife Ronnie to the
opening ceremonies at which an honorary degree was presented to President Davis.
Information Technology. In the 1990s technology usage on university campuses was
expanding at a rapid rate, and the Internet was spreading extensively throughout the world of higher
education. The University was able to obtain the su.edu web domain in competition with Syracuse,
Stanford, Swanee, and a dozen other “SU” institutions. Today, the domain www.su.edu is emblematic
of Shenandoah University. Quiaser Abaser, who came to the University from California, advanced the
technology at the University to competitive levels quickly with a hard-wired campus, a wireless campus,
use of servers and mini-computers, and universal Internet access for all students with leased computers
and maintenance programs for them. The University’s use of the Internet, computers, and distance-
learning strategies placed it in the forefront of college and universities around the country and world.
The University initiated a number of educational programs that were offered on line in the areas of
Pharmacy, Teaching English as a Second Language, and Physical Therapy.
Alson H. Smith Library. During this expansion period, several physical-plant initiatives helped
to advance the University in quality and reputation. William Hazel, donor and friend of the University,
made a major donation to help design a new library and build it in honor of Alson H. Smith, Jr., who
was a trustee, member of the General Assembly for 20 years, and mentor to the president. The Alson H.
Smith Library was a beautiful addition to the campus and provided the intellectual community a center
for its work. The University trustees decided, after tense debate, to borrow $3 million to complete the
funding of the library facility. This decision opened the way for a larger bond issue 6 years later to fund
new facilities for the Conservatory. The library became the hub of activity on campus including the
Center for Technology. Al Smith and his wife Marguerite were life-long supporters of the University,
and their portrait in the building is a living monument to their effective work on behalf of students and
the community. The library building and brick courtyard became the backdrop for many years of May
graduation exercises, as more than 4,000 chairs and a stage were assembled each year for
Commencement ceremonies. More than 400 students received their diplomas in a personal ceremony
Davis on History of S.C., 1982-2008 69
