NPC Minutes of the Board of Trustees Meeting
January 27, 2021
The National Park College Board of Trustees met in regular session on January 27, 2021. The Finance Committee began at 3:15 p.m. followed by the regular meeting at 3:30 p.m. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the meeting was help in a hybrid format via Zoom with some attendees in person. Trustees present for the Finance Committee meeting were Larry Bailey, Mike Bush, Joyce Craft, Gail Ezelle, Jim Hale, Rhonda Harrington, Bev Joe, Forrest Spicher, and Raymond Wright. Trustees present for the regular meeting were Larry Bailey, Mike Bush, Joyce Craft, Gail Ezelle, Jim Hale, Rhonda Harrington, Bev Joe, Forrest Spicher, and Raymond Wright
Staff and faculty members present were Jerry Thomas, Donna Kay, Nathan Ritter, Ashley Clayborn, Leslie Braniger, John Hogan, Blake Butler, Lisa Hopper, Melony Martinez, Kelli Embry, Wade Derden, Darla Thurber, Nicole Herndon, Steve Trusty, Bruce Hankins, Janice Ivers, Brad Hopper, Brian Kroening, Gwendolyn Carter, Jason Martin, Toni Knupps, Roger Fox, Julie Larue, Darlene Gentles, Chris Coble, Jill Houlihan, Lindsey Vondenstein, Sheryl Strother, Mike Wiles, Whendi Armstrong, Anne Benoit, John Tucker, Terri Helms, Dale Powell, Tennille Johnson, Tim Ward, Robert Feighl, Kat McCorkle, Caysie Martin, Lynn Valetutti, Matthias Elder, Donna Nevill, Amy Fincham, Lacie McCready, Jessie Ellis, Susan Millerd, Scott Post, Susan Gather-Maddox, Jennifer Evans, Janet Brewer, Gayla Mattoon, Nathan Looper, Te’Airra Blanchard, Bill Allison.
The media was notified of the meeting. John Anderson from the Sentinel Record was present alongside a newspaper photographer.
Chair Forrest Spicher welcomed everyone to the January National Park College Board meeting. Raymond Wright presented the invocation.
Dr. John Hogan introduced the new Trustee, Dr. Rhonda Harrington. Trustee Harrington made additional remarks. Chuck Argo introduced Amanda Kruzel and Bill Allison introduced Joel Rush.
Items for Action
- Gail Ezelle made a motion to approve the December 2 Meeting Joyce Craft seconded, and the motion passed unanimously.
- Bruce Hankins, Chief Financial Officer, presented October/November 2020 financial reports for Gail Ezelle moved to accept the financial reports as presented. Joyce Craft seconded, and the motion passed unanimously.
- Bruce Hankins, Chief Financial Officer, presented the Certification of Fund Balance for approval. Larry Bailey moved to accept the financial reports as presented. Bev Joe seconded, and the motion passed unanimously.
- Wade Derden, Vice President of Academic Affairs, presented academic program changes to enable students to transfer to a university as a full standing junior in a designated program area through additional transfer degrees in Fall 2021. Bev Joe made a motion to approve the changes as presented. Joyce Craft seconded, and the motion passed unanimously.
- Dr. Wade Derden, Vice President of Academic Affairs, 6.400 regarding Academic Suspension. Gail Ezelle made a motion to approve the policy change as presented. Rhonda Harrington seconded, and the motion passed unanimously.
- Julie LaRue, Interim Director of Human Resources, presented the ratifications of personnel Joyce Craft made a motion to approve the ratifications as presented. Gail Ezelle seconded, and the motion passed unanimously.
Items for Report
- Chair Spicher reiterated his welcome to trustee He discussed her arrival at a transformative time.
- Melony Martinez, Director of Marketing & Public Relations, discussed upcoming strategic initiatives for external affairs and recruitment.
- Christopher Thrasher, faculty member and Honors Program Director, provided an update on the National Park College Honors College Program.
- John Hogan reiterated his welcome to Trustee Harrington. He also gave a summary overview of the recently published State of the College which included updates on campus health and safety, the academic enterprise, campus developments, workforce development, enrollment growth and retention, professional development for employees, and community engagement.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 4:38 m.
Forrest Spicher, Chair
Joyce Craft, Secretary/Treasurer