President's Office Archives

Posted On: February 1, 2024
By: MC Admin

McPherson College announced today that legendary television host and comedian Jay Leno will narrate “The Path to Pebble,” a documentary that tells the incredible story of McPherson College’s decade-long journey to compete at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, the most prestigious car show in the world culminating in a historic podium finish in August 2023.

“Pebble Beach is all about turning heads. And some heads were turned that day. A student entry had never placed in this elite competition. Could they do it? Better yet, how did they even get here? There’s a ten-year long story behind their short drive to the reviewing stand. And it started 47 years ago,” said Leno to kick off the documentary.

The 28-minute documentary will screen in McPherson on February 13 in a “sneak peek” at 7 p.m. at the McPherson Opera House. Admission is free with a ticket that can be obtained on the McPherson Opera House website. A premiere will follow in Wichita on February 15 with an event at Mark Arts, and future viewing opportunities will be announced later.

McPherson College, a Kansas liberal arts college, is best known for its one-of-a-kind Automotive Restoration Technology degree program, offering America’s only four-year degree in restoring classic cars from Mercedes-Benzes to Ferraris. The program has received national acclaim and earned the support of car collectors, including Leno, a noted car collector and enthusiast and a long-time major supporter of the program.

In 1997, Leno established the Fred S. Dusenberg Scholarship and the Jay Leno Popular Mechanics scholarship, both of which continue to provide financial assistance to students interested in studying classic automotive restoration.

In 2023, McPherson College’s 1953 Mercedes-Benz 300S Cabriolet – restored entirely by students at the college’s Automotive Restoration program – secured second in class at the 72^nd Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. The victory marked the first time in Concours history that an entirely student-restored car has ranked in the top three in class at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance.

“We’re so appreciative of Jay for lending his time and talent to document our historic journey to Pebble Beach, but especially for his continued support of our Automotive Restoration program, which has helped shape the future of our students,” said McPherson College President Michael Schneider. “We can’t wait to debut ‘The Path to Pebble’ and showcase our students, alumni, and faculty that poured their heart and soul into this project to make our lofty, bold, and audacious goal a reality.”

Posted On: January 8, 2024
By: MC Admin

McPherson College received a $2 million grant from the J.E. & L.E. Mabee Foundation. The grant will be directed toward construction of the new Campus Commons. The Mabee Foundation grant comes following last year’s completion of the Building Community comprehensive campaign, which generated $64 million to support campus infrastructure improvements and educational initiatives, such as the Student Debt Project, student scholarships, health sciences, automotive restoration, and other academic growth areas.

The Building Community campaign is the catalyst of the college’s largest-ever investment in new buildings and sets McPherson College on the path of becoming one of the best small colleges in the country.

“This grant represents the generosity of the Mabee Foundation, along with our community of supporters whose gifts enabled the college to secure the funds necessary to achieve the challenge grant,” McPherson College President Michael Schneider said. “We are extremely grateful to the Mabee Foundation for their dedicated partnership over the years. They have been instrumental in supporting building projects at McPherson College.”

Major gifts from California philanthropists Melanie and Richard Lundquist, Sodexo, the Dalke Charitable Foundation, Peoples Bank and Trust, and a significant anonymous donor propelled McPherson College to reach the challenge grant goal. Construction is underway on the new Campus Commons with a completion target of 2025. The new structure will be the most prominent building on the McPherson campus, serving students, employees, and community members. While the 55,000-square-foot building will provide a state-of-the-art event venue, student services hub, and place to grab a bite to eat, other campus building projects are online to further enhance the McPherson College student experience.

The expansion and remodeling of the current Sport Center athletic facility is scheduled for completion in February. The project includes adding over 4,500 square feet to the original facility and renovating another 2,000 square feet of existing space. The expansion includes an additional weight room, athletic training area, and offices. The renovation consists of installing new lockers, updating restrooms, and adding storage space.

Work started on the Boiler House this fall. The Boiler House is a new café in the middle of campus that will have indoor and outdoor seating and serve as an additional late-night dining option. The project is an imaginative reuse of an existing utility building — a 1940s-era brick structure, which housed McPherson College’s main boilers for over 70 years. When completed, it will create an entirely new campus gathering point providing space for socializing and collaborating.

Posted On: October 19, 2023
By: MC Admin

Witness the thrill, excitement, and challenges McPherson College students experienced on their Path To Pebble! A 10-year project culminating at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, bringing home one of the top awards. A full-length documentary of the student experience is currently being produced.

Watch the trailer below and follow us on Facebook for updates about the documentary.

Posted On: October 16, 2023
By: MC Admin

McPherson College’s career service program was recently featured in an article published by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE). The article noted that 80% to 85% of McPherson College students work at any given point in the year, including academic year and breaks. The article acknowledged an initiative led by Amy Beckman, executive director of career and experiential learning, that incorporated NACE career readiness competencies into student job descriptions and supervision.

“It was a great opportunity for us to put some intentional purpose behind what we are coaching and mentoring our student employees in and finding out what our students are learning on the job,” Beckman said regarding the work done in her office to ensure students are career ready.

NACE is a professional association that connects nearly 17,000 college career services professionals, university relations, and recruiting professionals. It serves as the leading source of information on the employment of college students and forecasts hiring and trends in the job market.

The McPherson College career initiative has allowed Beckman to target mentorship programming for supervisors and training for student employees to connect the competencies to their work. She plans to add more training for supervisors about how to have high-impact practices within the work they assign to students and how to engage in reflective conversations with students about what they are learning and how they can apply that to their current work, other jobs, and schoolwork.

“We are leveling up our experiences, so we feel more confident when sending our students out into the community to do internships and to work, and we want our employers to be confident that our students are well-prepared,” Beckman said.

Last year, 80% of McPherson College’s graduates had at least one internship or field experience before graduation. Three-quarters of the class had secured a job or graduate school placement before graduating, and after six months, 99% reported having a job or working toward furthering their education.

Posted On: September 20, 2023
By: MC Admin

McPherson College is a great place to work, according to a new survey by the Great Colleges to Work For® program. The results, appearing in a special edition of The Chronicle of Higher Education, recognize McPherson College for the ninth year in a row. McPherson College is also on the survey’s Honor Roll for the eighth year.

The results are based on a survey sent to over 103,000 faculty and staff at 194 colleges across the country. In all, just 72 of the 194 institutions achieved recognition on the list for specific practices and policies. Only 42 colleges were included on the Honor Roll, an elite group of institutions that are standouts within their enrollment size. McPherson College was recognized in 6 categories and was the only Kansas school earning recognition on the list.

“McPherson College continues to move forward boldly and with confidence, supported by its dedicated community of employees,” President Michael Schneider said. “As we embark on a future supported by the historic $1.5 billion endowment estate commitment, our employees are a vital part of our success. They continue to provide meaningful input on our strategic plan, which sets a focus on the next 10 years with initiatives aimed at campus growth, academic innovation, and wellness.”

President Schneider points to some basic practices, such as the college’s compensation plan and benefits including retirement contributions made after one year of employment, as reasons why people like working for McPherson College. Monthly all-campus meetings, called “huddles, where information is shared from across campus, foster community involvement. Programs like training from the Kansas Leadership Center, which develops adaptive problem-solving skills, and other significant professional development investments in the operating budget, sets McPherson College apart from other college campuses.

In a comment featured on the survey’s website, one McPherson College employee says, “I appreciate that I feel like I am a part of a team, and we are all working toward the same goal! I enjoy the small feeling of the campus community, as it is easier to get to know others from different departments. Everyone is willing to go the extra mile for our students.”

McPherson College was recognized in six categories including compensation & benefits, professional development, confidence in senior leadership, shared governance, faculty experience, and diversity, inclusion, & belonging.

“I appreciate how leadership approaches directing the college,” said Rick Tuxhorn, director of the endowment and former CFO, who has been with McPherson College for 12 years. “Our president, cabinet, and board are student-focused, innovative, forward-thinking, and believe in its employees. This is evidenced by how the president invests in the faculty and staff through compensation and benefits. When an organization can find and retain top-notch employees, the entire organization benefits, especially the students. This is one of the reasons I believe McPherson College is a great college to work for!”

Community is central to McPherson College’s identity, according to President Schneider. “As our college community looks toward the future, faculty and staff are actively planning our current innovative strategic plan. The plan drove decision-making and much of the work we did over the last several years, and much of the work will continue as we focus on the future. In addition, we did all of it while balancing our operating budget and maintaining our overall enrollment and student retention. By working together, these plans will nurture the creative processes to sustain innovative academic ventures like the new Health Science program, continue supporting students to graduate with zero debt through the Student Debt Project, and transition MC from a traditional residential campus to a vibrant community.”

The Great Colleges to Work For® survey is one of the country’s largest and most respected workplace recognition programs. The survey conducted by ModernThink — an organization committed to improving workplace quality — recognizes the colleges that get top ratings from their employees regarding workplace practices and policies.

Posted On: September 19, 2023
By: MC Admin

For the eighth consecutive year, McPherson College has earned recognition by U.S. News & World Report in its 2023-24 “Best Colleges” list for Regional Colleges in the Midwest. This year, the college climbed 10 places in the rankings. Additionally, McPherson College was ranked on the “Best Value Schools” and “Top Performers on Social Mobility” lists.

Only schools ranked in or near the top half of their categories are included on the “Best Value Schools” list. When evaluating colleges for this list, U.S. News & World Report considers the most significant value to be among colleges that are above average academically and considers academic quality as well as cost. McPherson College was also recognized among colleges that are successful at advancing social mobility by enrolling and graduating large proportions of students awarded Pell grants.

“It is an honor to be included on such a well-respected list,” President Michael Schneider said. “It’s further proof that McPherson College is being recognized for the work being done by our faculty and staff to ensure quality education, excellent student experience, and value.”

Initiatives such as the college’s Student Debt Project, designed to assist students in graduating with little or no debt, along with the college’s impressive career placement rate, are just a few examples of why McPherson College is recognized on the “Best Colleges” list, according to President Schneider.

“We have some of the highest placement rates in the country, with more than two-thirds of our graduates having jobs or graduate school placement before they even graduate,” President Schneider said. “Combined with our focus on eliminating student debt we are proving to students and families that a McPherson College education is the best choice, and our campus improvements are putting the needs of our students first to create a living and learning environment for the 21^st century.”

The U.S. News & World Report has been ranking colleges for over 35 years. U.S. News measures academic quality using 17 metrics, with the most weight placed on outcomes, including not only the ability of a college to retain and graduate students from different socioeconomic backgrounds but also graduates’ average indebtedness. Class size, undergraduate academic reputation, and colleges’ investment in instruction and student services are among the other data points collected to develop this year’s rankings.

Posted On: July 21, 2023
By: MC Admin

$1B endowment announcement on July 21, 2023

College now gets down to business in planning how it will receive and deploy funds over time to expand programs and reduce student debt

McPherson College in Kansas announced today that it has met the match on its historic $500 million endowment double match challenge. Additionally, the anonymous donor surprised the college community by committing an additional $500 million estate gift for a total commitment of $1 billion. The McPherson College Board of Trustees also voted unanimously to name the McPherson College endowment after two late alumni and professors at McPherson College, Drs. John Ward and John Burkholder. McPherson College President Michael Schneider announced the milestone at an on-campus event this morning attended by over 200 faculty, staff, trustees, students, and friends of the college.

The total funding of $1,592,000,000 will result in the largest endowment of any small liberal arts college in the United States. (Editor’s note: see below for breakdown)

The donor agreement provides the flexibility for the anonymous donor to pay out over time or it is all paid in full upon the donor’s death, which is the latest time at which McPherson College would have access to the anonymous donor’s $1 billion. Most other gifts to meet the challenge will come over time as part of estate commitments.

“Today is historic, not just for McPherson College, but for all small liberal arts colleges in America,” said Schneider. “I am incredibly grateful to our anonymous donor for giving us an unprecedented opportunity—and responsibility—to build and implement our strategic vision of becoming a destination learning community. We have also been given an amazing opportunity to honor two legendary alumni and professors, Dr. Ward and Dr. Burkholder.”

“Now, the work begins to build a bridge to our future endowment,” Schneider added. “We need to carefully plan how the income from the endowment is deployed to reimagine and construct the campus of the future, build a much-needed rural health pipeline in Kansas, create a center for the future of automotive engineering and work to make college more affordable for all our students. There has never been a better day to be a part of the McPherson College community!”

At its most recent meeting, the McPherson College Board of Trustees named the McPherson College Endowment the Ward-Burkholder Endowment. Dr. Ward graduated from McPherson College in 1950 and had a distinguished career in higher education, first as a professor of agriculture at McPherson College for 12 years and later at the University of Nebraska. Dr. Burkholder graduated from McPherson College in 1949 and was a professor of biology at the college for nearly 40 years. Many members of the Ward and Burkholder families were on hand at today’s event.

“Naming faculty on this massive endowment highlights the unique faculty-student relationships found at McPherson College including the times John and John were themselves students at the College. Priceless might be a fitting word to describe the influence that faculty, staff, and administration of McPherson College have on the lives of its students,” said Marty Ward, a McPherson College Trustee and son of Dr. John Ward. “The Ward and Burkholder families are honored and grateful to everyone who has had a part in the Ward/Burkholder Endowment. On behalf of Dad and Dr. Burkholder – thank you.”

According to the terms of the double match gift challenge that concluded on June 30, the anonymous donor agreed to contribute $2 for every $1 given by others, up to $500 million.

Donations of this scale do not usually go to colleges with the size or location of McPherson College, which gives the school the rare opportunity to build and sustain the small liberal arts college of the future on the Plains. McPherson College is following its student-first values, directing the funds toward its academic programs as well as making college more affordable and accessible—ensuring talented people in places like central Kansas have the opportunity to thrive over the long term.

Joining in the day’s festivities was U.S. Senator Jerry Moran, the senior United States senator from Kansas.

“McPherson College has taken an innovative approach to training students to meet the demands of the McPherson community and the surrounding area,” said Sen. Moran. “The great work at McPherson College is attracting donors who want to support institutions offering young Kansans opportunities to thrive during college and long after they have graduated. I look forward to continuing to support these efforts at the federal level.”

McPherson College’s student-centric plans include a renewed collaboration on rural health initiatives, plans for state-of-the-art science and engineering facilities, and a huge boost for students facing challenges affording college. Specifically, this includes McPherson’s Community by Design strategic plan, which includes East McPherson, the campus master plan; a new Kansas Center for Rural & Community Health; and McPherson College’s Student Debt Project, which has been proven to be a true pioneer in college affordability.

The new Kansas Center for Rural & Community Health will ensure the next generation of practitioners can use the latest technology and techniques to help improve healthcare in rural Kansas. McPherson College’s groundbreaking Student Debt Project, which has established a successful partnership with local businesses, has made McPherson College significantly more affordable. The program, where McPherson College donors match 25 cents for every dollar a student contributes to their education, will be expanded in the future as a result of meeting the match, not only making a McPherson College education affordable for more students, but also serving as a blueprint for other colleges across the country struggling with keeping student debt low in the face of rising costs.

“McPherson College has been a special place for Richard and me for over a decade,” said Dr. Melanie Lundquist. “We have especially appreciated President Schneider and Provost Gutierrez’s innovative, problem-solving leadership. It has also been one of our greatest pleasures to support McPherson’s one-of-a-kind automotive restoration program. Richard was honored to donate his classic Ferrari to the program, and we are both thrilled that this unique program – and McPherson College — will be on solid footing for perpetuity as a result of this phenomenally generous matching gift.”

The Lundquists committed $50 million to the match and donated his classic Ferrari to the college’s automotive restoration program—the nation’s only four-year degree program.

Next month, McPherson College’s automotive restoration program will be making its first-ever appearance on the industry’s biggest stage – the 2023 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. The students’ fully-restored 1953 Mercedes-Benz 300 S Cabriolet will compete at this year’s event, a monumental milestone for the unique program.

Editor’s Note:

Pre-Challenge (Before Feb. 13, 2022)
Existing Endowment + Estate Commitments $250,000,000

Challenge (Feb. 13, 2022 to June 30, 2023)
Challenge Commitments $342,000,000

Anonymous Donor Estate Match
& Additional Estate Commitment $1,000,000,000

Total $1,592,000,000

Posted On: May 23, 2023
By: MC Admin

McPherson College conferred Master of Education, Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees to 171 students at the 135^th Commencement Ceremony on Sunday, May 20, 2023, at McPherson Stadium.

Rod Gieselman, professor of business at McPherson College, was the commencement speaker. Professor Gieselman has taught in the MC business department for 20 years. Students in his investments course manage a portion of the college’s endowment that consistently out-earns market averages and has grown from an initial $200,000 to $550,000. In his address, he encouraged the Class of 2023 to continue developing.

“Every day going forward, you will continue to develop who you are, your perspectives, beliefs, empathy, and character,” he said. “The process of becoming a whole person is a lifelong process. Hopefully, McPherson College has pushed you to continue developing in a positive direction.”

Olivia Smith, the senior class representative, and Professor Vicki Schmidt, associate professor of education, also addressed the class.

The commencement ceremony concluded with Dr. Michael Schneider, president of McPherson College, who thanked for the students for making it a great day to be a Bulldog.

“As you scatter out into the world, remember your degree is a milestone but just the beginning of the expectations you have now as a graduate of McPherson College,” he said. “This campus will change over the next several years but don’t forget to come home.”

Names of the graduating class of 2023 and the commencement video can be found at: www.mcpherson.edu/graduation.

Posted On: May 9, 2023
By: MC Admin

McPherson College has entered a partnership with Sodexo, a global food services leader, to bring a best-in-class dining program to campus beginning in the fall of 2023.

“Excellence in dining services is fundamental to the student experience,” said McPherson College President Michael Schneider. “The transition to Sodexo is in response to student feedback. Sodexo’s professionalism, commitment to quality, and excellence in customer service will be a game-changer for our students and community.”

As a part of this partnership, Sodexo will adapt the dining program to best serve student needs by integrating technology within all on-campus services, including Sodexo’s mobile app Everyday and catering ordering via Catertrax, as well as sophisticated internal systems. In support of McPherson’s commitment to student success, Sodexo will support annual scholarships, events, and athletics.

“Sodexo is excited and proud to enter into a long-term partnership with McPherson College. We believe this is a mutually beneficial relationship where our institutional values, mission, and vision align in a way that will lead to an enriching college experience for the McPherson student body,” said Sodexo Senior Vice President Dannie Crozier. “Sodexo looks forward to working with our partners at McPherson and bringing an elevated dining program and quality experiences to the community.”

The change in food service comes as part of a larger initiative to address campus residential life. In addition to facility upgrades at the Sport Center and a new campus gathering point called the Boiler House, residence halls will undergo phase one of renovations over the summer. Renovations include new floors, paint, lighting, furniture, and other upgrades.

Posted On: April 3, 2023
By: MC Admin

McPherson College MB300S Pebble Beach Team

McPherson College’s classic 1953 Mercedes-Benz 300 S is the college’s first car fully restored by its students to be accepted in the nation’s most prestigious car event.

A vision, 10 years in the making, has come true for students, alumni, and employees of the McPherson College Automotive Restoration program — the only four-year bachelor’s degree program for automotive restoration in the nation. The 1953 Mercedes-Benz 300 S Cabriolet, entirely restored by students, has been accepted by the prestigious Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance and will be shown there on August 20.

“Congratulations to the McPherson College students for having their car accepted to Pebble Beach,” said comedian and car enthusiast Jay Leno. Leno’s support 20 years ago was the turning point for the program when it pivoted from an associate’s to a bachelor’s degree. “I am proud to be associated with the college. Much like art historians who clean and repair the works of the renaissance era, the young men and women at McPherson College are doing it with automobiles, recreating abilities and techniques long forgotten, and they’ll make a good living doing it. Our hobby and heritage are safe in their hands.”

The Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance is the oldest Concours in the United States and one of the world’s most prestigious gatherings of rare and antique automobiles. Prized collector cars compete each year for Best of Show, the most coveted award in the automotive industry. The Concours Selection Committee spends weeks vetting each entry, narrowing its selection down to the top classic cars in the world, which are invited to show.

Early work on the Mercedes-Benz 300 S restoration.

“We set a bold vision 10 years ago to show a car at Pebble Beach, and I was confident our students and staff could attain it,” said Amanda Gutierrez, provost and vice president of automotive restoration. “The goal was to get invited to compete at Pebble Beach, but there is a significant process that makes that happen, especially at a small college with students working outside of class hours. This project has been a valuable learning experience for our students as they study toward their bachelor’s degree in automotive restoration. It was intense work requiring exceptional commitment, and I am extremely proud of them.”

After an exhaustive search for the right car, work on the project began and has incorporated classroom curricula, expert guest lectures, and senior capstone experiences. The restoration was completed by teams of student interns who worked over the course of the restoration. Brian Martin, director of automotive restoration projects, supervises the student team.

“When we set out to do this, we knew it was going to be a long-term commitment,” Martin said. “It is a complete, frame-off, top-to-bottom restoration by students. We planned for it to become the cornerstone of our program and an example of the skills our students develop while they are here.”

McPherson College has a long history of student participation at Pebble Beach, dating back to 2008 when the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance and Pebble Beach Company Foundation established scholarships honoring Formula One World Champion and famed restorer Phil Hill. Over the years, more than 25 McPherson College students have earned college scholarships from Pebble Beach.

Pebble Beach Company Foundation scholarship recipients not only attend the event and shadow the judges, they also have been part of panel discussions, prepared and presented cars for the field, and attended numerous additional events during the week. However, this August will mark the first time the college will show a classic vehicle fully restored by its students.

Students working on the Mercedes-Benz 300 S engine.

“It’s a remarkable accomplishment,” said McPherson College President Michael Schneider. “Since the project began, nearly every student in the auto restoration program has been exposed to the restoration through classes, workshops, or as part of an internship team. For some of them, getting a chance to work on this project was why they decided to attend McPherson College. This achievement will positively impact our students and program for years. Managing this project was an enormous undertaking, and I commend the individuals, especially Brian Martin, who helped mentor our students through this process. Our friends at Paul Russell and Company as well as the Mercedes Benz Classic Center, were excellent advisors on the project. I also thank Jay Leno, whose early and consistent support over the years has helped us flourish and reach Pebble Beach.”

Members of the student team, the Pebble Beach Scholars, college staff, and alumni will accompany the car to Pebble Beach in August. A recognition of their efforts will be celebrated during the CARS Club Motoring Festival on Saturday, May 6, at McPherson College at 2 p.m. before the awards ceremony.

Showing a student-restored car at Pebble Beach is another example of McPherson College achieving what many people consider impossible. In November, the college announced a historic $500 million matching gift. To date, the college has raised over $170 million of the $250 million needed to secure the $500 million, including generous gifts from car enthusiasts Melanie and Richard Lundquist, the Rob Walton Foundation, and Dave Kinney.

Quicklinks

Category: President’s Office

TV Legend Jay Leno Narrates McPherson College’s Historic Finish At Pebble Beach Concours D’elegance

McPherson College Receives $2 Million Mabee Foundation Matching Grant

Path to Pebble: Documentary Trailer Released

McPherson College Career Services, Amy Beckman Featured By NACE

McPherson College Named One “2023 Great Colleges To Work For” With Honor Roll Distinction Among Small Colleges

McPherson College Ranks In U.S. News & World Report “Best College” List

McPherson College Exceeds Double Match Challenge – Establishing A Future $1,500,000,000 Endowment

McPherson College Celebrates Class Of 2023 In Commencement Ceremony

Students Will Experience New, Best-In-Class Dining And Facilities Program Beginning Fall 2023

Small Kansas College Will Show Car at Pebble Beach Concours D’ Elegance