25th Anniversary Showcases Recipe for Success at Beckfield College
Florence, KY (August 19, 2009) Take a bowl and mix in an evolving curriculum based on community need, hands-on faculty, engaged students receiving personalized attention, a self-supporting bottom line, accreditation with honors and 25 years of academic excellence, and you have a recipe for Beckfield College. This career college based in Florence, Kentucky with a branch campus in Springdale, Ohio serves students from Kentucky, Ohio and Indiana and is celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2009.
The school opened its doors in 1984 with two students and a curriculum built for that day and age: secretarial and word processing coursework. Today, the fields of study have changed to meet the ever-growing needs of the community, and the number of students has jumped to nearly 900. But, for every year during the past twenty five, focus on the student, his/her goals and challenges, and a personalized approach to scheduling, studying and counseling have helped Beckfield College grow and continue to expand on programs of interest and need.
“Beckfield offers something you don’t see at every college: a partnership between school and student,” explained Dr. Ronald Swanson, president of Beckfield College. “Our commitment to the student is strong and constant. In turn, students follow suit and commit to themselves and their education.”
Beckfield College offers Bachelor and Associate Degrees, Certificates and Diplomas and recently received renewal of their accreditation and has been designated an Honor Roll Institution by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS). The school focuses on career paths in Business Administration, Computer Network Administration, Criminal Justice, Health Care Management, Health Information Technology, Hospitality Management, Medical Assisting, Nursing-RN, Paralegal Studies, and Practical Nursing. The admissions process ensures students are ready for rigorous course work and have the stamina to finish, while taking in account all of a student’s personal challenges and goals.
“When I first decided to become a nurse I chose to go to another school. They denied me from their nursing program because of past back problems. They didn't think I could handle the work,” described Jamie Watkins, recent graduate of the nursing program. “The staff and faculty at Beckfield cheered me on. I had teachers come in on off days to work with me and stay late when needed.”
For many students, this attention paid to the individual sets the school apart from others. The curriculum itself has evolved over time, meeting community’s needs and those desired by students. As the community’s needs transform, so too does the College’s, keeping it fresh, current and relevant.
“We live in a rapidly change world, one in which nursing can no longer rely on systems and resources of the past to guide it through the next decade,” noted Benita Burgess, Director of Patient Services at St. Luke Hospital. “Nurse education must be constantly developed and redesigned to ensure our health care system meets the demands of modern society. Beckfield College is helping our community meet the needs of its citizens by providing skilled practitioners to the health care field.”
Beckfield College offers programs in the healthcare, legal, computer and business fields. Along with certificate and diploma programs, it does offer associate and bachelor degrees, but differs from a traditional university as Beckfield offers “an educational setting that reflects the needs of our learners, who are working, have families and obligations, and range in age from 19 to 62,” explained Cindy Griggs, Vice President of Academic Affairs.
With a healthy list of ingredients, Beckfield College anticipates perfecting their recipe with continued growth while remaining focused on the student.
“I absolutely LOVE Beckfield,” expressed Dy’an Lambert, criminal justice student at Beckfield College. “I came to Beckfield after looking at a couple of different schools. I was lost, and I was scared. What I love about Beckfield is the people. Everyone knows your name and everyone cares about your progress. I've been here almost two years now, and those smiles are just as warm as the day I walked in the door for the first time.”
Beckfield College will be celebrating their 25th Anniversary at two major public events in September:
- Wednesday, September 2, 2009, 12:00 noon – 1:00 p.m. at a grill out with Chris Carr & Company from B105 at the Florence Campus at 16 Spiral Drive behind Sam’s Club. This event is open to the public.
- Thursday, September 3 is a Cocktail Reception with community, educational, civic and business leaders. Toasts to Beckfield College will be given by Douglas Bolton, Publisher, Business Courier; Trey Grayson, Secretary of State of the Commonwealth of Kentucky; and Steve Stevens, President, Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce. Dr. Ronald Swanson, President of Beckfield College, will toast the graduates of the college. For information on this event, email eventsplus@fuse.net.
Beckfield College is a career college accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS) that has, since 1984, been evolving to meet the educational needs of its learners while meeting the demands of the community and area businesses. Beckfield College is focused on, and dedicated to, a personalized teaching and learning environment designed to support the personal and professional career development of quality students. Instructors bring years of real-world, practical experience and education into the classrooms to enhance the students’ education. With its philosophy that “Success in College brings Success in Life,” Beckfield College celebrates its 25th anniversary in 2009. For further information, visit www.beckfield.edu or follow on facebook.
8/19/2009 10:10:00 AM