Contact: Susie Fagan, University Relations, (785) 864-8866.
LAWRENCE--Robert Senecal, longtime dean of Continuing Education at the
University of Kansas, has announced he will retire in June 2001.
A committee will be formed soon to begin a national search for his
successor, Provost David Shulenburger announced. The committee intends to
name a new dean before Senecal retires.
"Bob Senecal has served the university, the state and the nation through the
continuing education program for a long time," Shulenburger said. "It's been
a privilege for me to work with him on too many projects to count. He has
transformed the program in his years there, and while he is leaving a very
strong organization, we will miss him greatly."
Since Senecal became dean of KU Continuing Education in 1980, its staff has
grown from 35 to 125 people and its budget from about $2 million to $13
million.
Senecal has been involved with continuing education in Kansas since 1969. He
was associate director for Statewide Academic Extension and coordinator of
federal programs for the State Education Commission for four years before
joining KU Continuing Education as associate director in 1973. He was named
associate dean of the division in 1975.
Senecal cited three notable accomplishments during his years at KU.
"We have built a wonderful staff made up of dedicated, hard working,
creative people that can respond to lots of different challenges and
situations in continuing education," he said.
The consolidation of the Lawrence program to one site was another highlight,
Senecal said. The move to 1515 St. Andrews Dr. in 1998 united six offices
under one roof in Lawrence.
Other updated facilities include the Public Management Center in Topeka and
the Law Enforcement Training Center in Hutchinson.
"We have been fortunate to really find and build good facilities for all of
our units," he said. "Those are wonderful accomplishments for the staff.
They have adequate facilities to do their jobs."
Finally, Senecal said the growing Continuing Education program has added to
the university's fiscal strength.
"We're going to leave the division in excellent financial shape," he said.
In his final months at KU, Senecal said he will focus on building an
advisory board and a fund-raising infrastructure for Continuing Education.
While at KU, Senecal served in a variety of additional administrative roles.
In 1985 he was named associate vice chancellor of academic affairs for
off-campus programs.
In 1992, Senecal was named Regents Center coordinator and worked with
academic deans to align the center's programs with the Lawrence campus. He
also helped prepare for the center's move in 1993 to the Edwards Campus at
127th and Quivira Road.
Senecal has a bachelor's degree in general science from the University of
Notre Dame, a master's in community education administration from Eastern
Michigan University and a Ph.D. in higher education administration from the
University of Iowa.
KU Continuing Education's mission is to "link KU's clients with the
university's academic and professional resources to meet lifelong
educational goals." It serves thousands of Kansans each year through its
academic and professional programs; distance education programs; Kansas Fire
Service Training; Kansas Law Enforcement Training Center; KU Medical Center;
and KU Public Management Center.
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