He officially shared the news during a campus event Wednesday, Jan. 27 that was attended by Ohio University officials Pam Benoit and Dan Evans.
“I do not look at this as a retirement, but as a transition into the next phase of my life, both professionally and personally. The opportunity to serve as dean of the Chillicothe Campus has been a delight,” Bebee, 67, stated. “Quite frankly, the entire experience in the first decade of the new millennium has greatly exceeded my expectations. Chillicothe is an unexpectedly interesting community and OU-C is a great campus with limitless potential. The many wonderful students, fine and talented faculty and staff, not only on the Chillicothe Campus but also on the other regional campuses and the Athens campus, have been a pleasure to work with.”
“Additionally, I have very much enjoyed being part of the vibrant and historic Chillicothe community and have met and worked with a number of outstanding people in the city, region and state,” he noted.
Bebee’s tenure at OU-C has been a time of great growth and transformation for the campus. The campus’ current enrollment of more than 2,100 students is the highest in at least 10 years. In fall quarter 2008, the campus was third among 24 regional campuses in Ohio with a 13.8 percent headcount growth over the previous fall.
“Rich is always open to ideas and seeks input from everyone,” OU-C Regional Coordinating Council Chairman Larry Gates said. “If something makes sense, he is willing to move forward and implement the idea. He is never jealous of other people’s ideas.”
“Also, as a member of the community, I have been impressed with Rich’s ability to bring the campus off of the hill and have it become an integral part of the community,” Gates said. “He has been successful at integrating the campus with the community. Having worked with him on the Child Development Center, he showed the understanding of how to work together with others and accomplish something that is valuable to the entire community.”
“Further, as head of the Regional Coordinating Council, I have worked closely with Rich to explore the possibility of an entrepreneurship center that will provide offerings that are geared to people who want to be their own bosses and pursue their own ideas. He realizes that this is an opportunity to partner with the community to reignite the entrepreneurial spirit in a way that serves our region.”
Ohio University Executive Vice President and Provost Pam Benoit said, “Rich’s work has been fundamental to the advancement of the mission of Ohio University. He has succeeded in providing outstanding educational opportunities to Chillicothe and surrounding communities.”
“Both Dean Bebee and I joined Ohio University in 2001, and I have truly enjoyed our professional working relationship and his friendship over these nine years,” Ohio University Executive Dean of Regional Campuses Dan Evans said. “You will find few people who are more dedicated and more energetic about their work than Dr. Richard Bebee. His announcement marks the culmination of an exceptionally successful career as dean of Ohio University Chillicothe, and it opens the door for the next chapter in a life that has always been about serving students. Certainly, Dean Bebee will be missed, but his very positive impact upon the campus and the Chillicothe community has positioned OU-C for an even brighter future. ”
Among his major accomplishments as dean of OU-C:
The Ross County/Ohio University-Chillicothe Child Development and Family Service Center was built and opened on campus in January 2007. The facility allows approximately 250 students to receive the benefits of 6 local agencies and allows OU-C education and nursing students to receive valuable practical experience in their fields.
The campus has increased partnerships to make higher education more accessible for area residents. Recent agreements include an articulation agreement with Southern State Community College that allows students who earn associate degrees at Southern State to then pursue a bachelor’s degree through OU-C. Other partnerships are in place with the Chillicothe Veterans Affairs Medical Center and Berger Health Systems, which won the annual United States Department of Labor Award for Workplace Innovation in 2006.
A Learning Commons area was developed in the Stevenson Center. This area, which was previously underutilized, has become a hub of campus activity and serves as an informal student center, helping to further foster a sense of campus community.
The campus has been a leader in distance learning efforts, utilizing technology to reach a broader audience of students, many of whom can find frequent travel to campus challenging because of distance and family responsibilities.
The recently-completed Parkway Project transforms the look of campus, giving the exterior of campus a new look that creates more of the look and feel of a traditional small-campus setting.
The campus recently secured funding for a 6,000-square-foot addition to the Technical Studies Building that will provide space for the Law Enforcement Technology program and for an entrepreneurship program that will be launched in conjunction with the Athens campus. The entrepreneurship center will include a business incubator that will allow students and community members to take their innovations from concept to reality.
Originally from Maryland, Bebee earned his bachelor’s degree from Anderson (Ind.) University, MBA from Indiana University and his Ph.D. from the University of Colorado.
Before joining OU-C, he was dean and professor of accounting of the Franklin P. Perdue School of Business at Salisbury (Md.) University for 10 years. Previously, he was associate dean and chair of accounting at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Va.; professor of accountancy at DePaul University in Chicago; director of national continuing education with Grant Thornton LLP in Chicago; and associate professor of accountancy at Miami (Ohio) University.
Each week we talk with OU-C students to get their views on relevant topics. This week’s topic involves what changes each student would make and what he/she would keep the same if named king or queen for the day. Below are what some of the campus’ students had to say.
If named to a day-long monarchy position, Sage Sill, a social work major from Circleville, would focus on a few relevant aspects of campus life. “I would make a place for babysitting, to make it easier for students who are parents to study. Also, I would want more convenient parking or a shuttle system from the parking lots and make it easier to determine a major,” she said. There are also many aspects of the OU-C educational experience she would preserve. “I like the small classes and the ability to know the professors. Everyone seems like family.”
Stephen Flautt, a history major from Unioto High School, would make culinary offerings the centerpiece of his reign. “I would add steak and hamburger to the menu at the (Hilltop) café,” he said. “I would also like to see intramural sports on campus and another history professor. If we are not worried about how practical the suggestions are, I would like to see a covered walkway from the parking lot to buildings. I like the small campus setting and would keep it the same.”
Audrianna Dettwiller, an early childhood education major from Greenfield McClain High School, would take advantage of her office to ordain curbside parking on campus. It might make it even easier for her to begin her day with a jolt of java. “I love the Starbucks coffee and that classes are convenient. I would keep the back-to-back classes and time in between to study.”
For Josie Greenwell, a secondary education major from Fort Wayne, Ind., her royalty experience would include reduced costs for exercise. “I wish there were no charges for using the gym. I would also like fewer online classes and more in-person interaction. It is a very pretty campus and the faculty members are friendly. I would keep that.”
If she were given a crown, Christina Harris, an education major from Vinton County High School would make it easier to get plugged in. “I would have more electrical outlets in the Learning Commons and classrooms. There seems to be good collaboration between the library and faculty members, and I would improve that even more. I would also keep the buildings a little warmer in winter. I like the fact that classrooms have neutral colors and are not distracting.”
Josh Ware’s kingdom would include a shuttle service from the parking lots. “I like the easy access and that the classes are close together. The faculty members are good at what they do,” said the computer science major from Jackson.
In Buddy Barnes’ royal world, consistency is the key. “I like it here. Everything is relatively close, the professors are personable and it is overall inexpensive,” said the Adena High School graduate who is undecided on an academic major.
If elected king, Anthony Gilbert, a business management major from Chillicothe High School, would make some advances. “I would like to see more food varieties for students and maybe a food court, as well as more exercise equipment in the gym. I would also like to have shelter for smokers in bad weather. I would keep the convenient class schedules the same and the faculty who are willing to work around students’ busy schedules.”
Peasants and royalty alike can feel free to enter the conversation by posting your comments to this story.
