BOOTHEEL EDUCATION CENTER GETS NEW DIRECTOR

MALDEN -- Robert Ritschel, formerly associate dean for technical and industrial education at Neosho County Community College in Chanute, Kan., has been named director of the Bootheel Education Center here.

"This is an opportunity for advancement for me," Ritschel said. "I have always enjoyed the university experience. This is an opportunity to get back into that area."

He replaces Karen Wheeler, who accepted a position with the Arkansas Department of Higher Education.

"We are really excited to find a candidate of Dr. Ritschel's quality, particularly with the background he brings from the community college level," said Sheila Caskey, interim provost at Southeast Missouri State University.

The center provides classroom and administrative facilities for a consortium established in 1981 by Southeast, Three Rivers Community College in Poplar Bluff, University of Missouri Extension and four area vocational schools. The consortium was formed to provide post-secondary education opportunities to residents of the Bootheel.

Ritschel is charged with full administration of the center, including development of programming for adult education and oversight of the talent search program, needs assessment program and the GED program. He also is to serve as a liaison between the units comprising the consortium.

"I am very pleased with the receptiveness of the community and how they have bent over backwards to make me feel welcome," said Ritschel, who began his duties March 22.

Under his direction, Ritschel said he hopes to expand upper level, University Studies and business course offerings at the center and implement an interactive television system for satellite hook-up between the center, the Southeast campus in Cape Girardeau and the University of Missouri.

Ritschel previously served as an adjunct professor of education at Missouri Southern State College in Joplin and as executive director of the Southeast Kansas Higher Education Consortium.

He also has served as chairman of the fine arts division at Limestone College in Gaffney, S.C., executive director of the North Arkansas Symphony Society in Fayetteville, Ark., and assistant professor of education at the University of Northern Iowa.

During his tenure at Neosho County Community College, Ritschel served as director of public relations.

He holds a bachelor of arts degree in education from Northeastern State University in Tahlequah, Okla., a master of music degree from the University of Texas at Austin, and a doctor of education degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

He and his wife, Sharyl, are the parents of two daughters.