By PATRICK E. LITOWITZ
plitowitz@ncnewsonline.com
Dr. Richard H. Dorman has featured Lawrence County in his lesson plan — an effort linking education and economics.
“I have a strong interest in economic development, which I think you can not separate from the education of its population,” the Westminster College president said. “Only through education are we going to be uplifted as a region.”
The college’s strategy is outlined in “Advantage: Westminster,” developed through the work of approximately 80 people within the campus community. Designed to guide Westminster through 2020, the plan evolved over a year’s time.
“(It) identifies the things we ought to be doing to keep us strong and growing as an institution,” Dorman said.
While student- and campus-focused, the strategic plan’s four goals are expected to generate results extending beyond the institution’s New Wilmington base. The initiatives range from stressing the value of the student-teacher relationship to keeping private education affordable.
“This area has a vested interest in the success of this institution,” Dorman said. “We would be even a weaker area if we did not have the college here.”
Linda D. Nitch supported Dorman’s assessment. She is the executive director of the Lawrence County Economic Development Corp.
Last year, the college directed $96 million into the economy, with $32 million spent locally. Westminster is also among the top private employers countywide. The college uses more than 400 full- and part-time workers. Those numbers do not include students working on campus.
“It is a real asset to have a liberal arts college here in our county — as a resource and the dollars they provide.” Nitch said.
Westminster moved slowly in rolling out its initiatives. Worldwide financial uncertainty was to blame.
“It impacted how aggressive we could be going forward,” Dorman said. “We tended to take our foot off the accelerator a little bit so that we could ascertain what we could do … to adjust to this new reality.”
However, the college avoided the actions taken by other institutions, organizations and businesses. Last year, Westminster escaped budget cuts and layoffs.
“During that time our focus was making sure we kept the ship steady, and we succeeded in doing that,” Dorman said. “We actually had surpluses. We were actually able to give out raises at a time that was not being done by most organizations.”
Westminster graduates are the barometer of the college’s success. Dorman said the college’s goal is to provide students with a broad-based education that can be applied to a number of settings.
“If you’re educated very narrowly to a specific thing, your ability to transfer your knowledge to different realms is compromised,” Dorman said. “With a liberal arts education, you are able to make that adjustment.
“We try to educate for change.”
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LOOKING AHEAD
Westminster’s Way
“Advantage: Westminster” is a strategic plan that will guide Westminster College through 2020. It outlines four goals focusing on student and campus needs. In addressing those areas, Lawrence County also benefits, according to college President Dr. Richard H. Dorman. The initiatives are as follows.
•Reaffirm the relationship between the teacher and the student in undergraduate education.
•Elevate the call for academic rigor in response to a growing market for degrees focused on vocationalism.
•Reinforce the college’s commitment to keep a private education affordable.
•Recognize the need to maintain a learning environment that meets students’ needs without adding to their financial burden.
Source: Westminster College
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