Verizon Wireless IT Asset Manager Awarded Full Scholarship

Verizon Wireless’ Luke Marples has been awarded a full scholarship by the International Association of IT Asset Managers (IAITAM) to complete his Masters of Science in IT Asset Management (MSITAM) at William Howard Taft University. Luke Marples is an IT Asset Manager who works in Verizon Wireless’ IT Governance, Risk and Compliance organization.

“It’s an honor to be awarded the MSITAM scholarship and be part of the ever growing field of IT Asset Management,” said Marples. “The IAITAM association continues to be an invaluable resource in developing my career. The education, certification and networking afforded through IAITAM keeps my understanding fresh in such a dynamic profession. Thank you!”

“We wish to congratulate Luke and wish him the best,” said Barbara Rembiesa, CEO of IAITAM. “Luke’s accomplishments stand as a testament to the knowledge, expertise and growth of the overall IT Asset Management industry.

“We received twice as many entries this year making it twice as hard to select from such a large group of talented individuals,” said Rembiesa. “This highly concentrated master degree is a great opportunity for anyone seeking to expand their professional qualifications and hone their business management abilities.”

The MSITAM degree is awarded by William Howard Taft University to students who successfully complete the rigorous distance study program. IAITAM curriculum has been included in the program to provide the best possible combination of real world best practices alongside best of breed academic curriculum. The MSITAM program is designed for IT management professionals seeking to define the strategies for aligning IT with organization business drivers that promote ROI, reduce risk and increase productivity. The MSITAM Scholarship for the Master of Science in Information Technology with a concentration in Asset Management at William Howard Taft University is offered by IAITAM. The scholarship is an essay-based selection process based on a list of qualifications.

Luke Marples has 15+ years experience in IT. Mr. Marples began in IT Asset Management (ITAM) by building an ITAM program at Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of NJ before working for the Navy as an ITAM consultant in the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) division. In June of 2010 Luke began working at Verizon Wireless to assist in developing a formal ITAM program. As part of the IT Governance, Risk and Compliance organization his current focus is ITAM strategy and program development. Luke has a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering as well as a Master of Science in Engineering Management, both from New Jersey Institute of Technology. A long time member of IAITAM Luke currently holds the CSAM, CHAMP, CITAM, CITAD & CMAM certifications as well as an ITIL Foundations certificate.

Taft Doctor of Education Student Receives National Award

Mr. Brian Ingelson took a short break from his Doctoral studies to accommodate some recent obligations, and with his permission, we share his remarkable story.

“During the past three months, it has been an unbelievable period for the music program I head at Palm Springs High. As a program, we are unique and contribute almost one hundred performances per year to the community and to fund the program in these economically challenging times. We also travel internationally and have established a solid reputation both here and abroad.

In the Fall I discovered I was receiving a national award by the John Phillip Sousa Association and Band World magazine. As I was on the way to receive the award in Chicago on December 18th, I received a voice mail that I retrieved upon landing at O’Hare… Mr Ingelson, I am calling on behalf of President Obama and Vice President Biden to invite your band to represent California at the Inauguration… We were selected as 1 of only 10 High School Bands, 10 university and college bands from more than 2800 applications. For the next 23 days, I literally worked 20 hours a day, every day, to organize and execute the transfer of 110 students to Washington, raise $150,000, and attempt to take care of the other responsibilities of my job and family. It was an amazing once in a lifetime moment for our students and when the President and Vice President rose to applaud the students, I can tell you it was something that we will never forget.”

Since our return, we completed a number of other commitments that were made prior to our invitation to the Inaugural including an international festival with 400 Chinese music students from Beijing in San Gabriel last weekend.

Brian has been teaching at Palm Springs High School in Palm Springs, California for the past 17 years. He is the Director of Bands there as well as the Fine Arts Chair. Brian earned his B.A. from the University of Calgary, and his M.Ed. from the University of Missouri.

Brian has received the Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition, and was named Palm Springs Teacher of the Year in both 1997 and 2006. He was also named the Outstanding Music Director from the Desert Theater League.

Brian states his philosophy in these words, “It is my belief that education in the fine arts is essential to student development. It provides for emotional expression, intrinsic worth, and an opportunity to explore our culture as well as others. Learning music is the only subject that encompasses the entire body both physically and mentally. Education must be meaningful and relevant to students. Music as a performing art must have performance as part of its core. It is a musician’s duty and responsibility to share their talents and experience with the next generation of artist. Our most important trophies are our students. Success in music provides the necessary skills for success in life. I love teaching and I believe there is no more important responsibility than teaching our future generations. Music gives us the opportunity to teach not only our passion, but how to be successful in life.”

http://www.bandworld.org/

William Howard Taft University Welcomes Dr. Laura Pogue

Jerome Alley, President of William Howard Taft University, announced that Dr.Laura Pogue has been appointed Dean of the W. Edwards Deming School of Business.

Dr. Pogue has been a dedicated business educator for over 15 years, providing business education in the corporate, online, and traditional classrooms. She has served in many leadership roles for accredited academic institutions, in addition to mentoring doctoral and graduate business students. Dr. Pogue has remained at the forefront of online education policies and initiatives and presently serves as a distance education specialist for several accrediting commissions, recognized by the Department of Education.

Alley commented “The appointment of Dr. Pogue signifies a commitment to the advancement of our mission of providing quality distance education programs to adult students. I am confident that her drive and enthusiasm for distance learning combined with an extensive background of business education and experience will be an invaluable benefit to our business school students and faculty.”

Dr Pogue succeeds Dr. David Lady who is moving on to new entrepreneurial ventures. We wish Dr. Lady the very best, and welcome Dr. Pogue to our team of dedicated educators.

Message from Dr. Pogue

Doctor of Education Scholarship Winner Announced

William Howard Taft University is honored to award Susan Tummers Stocum the 13th Annual Roger J. Duthoy Scholarship Opportunity. With over 20 years of experience in the education field, Ms. Stocum’s knowledge and enthusiasm for education is second to none.

Ms. Stocum has held various positions in education. Ranging from high school math teacher to Faculty Coordinator at the colligate level. For the past 12 years, she has been an Associate Professor, teaching mathematics, at El Camino College in Torrance, California.

Ms. Stocum has been featured in numerous publications and conferences throughout the greater Los Angeles area. She has a passion for leadership and helping new teachers find their way in the field. She understands the need to integrate new technology into the classroom to benefit her students and is conscious of teaching her students to see math in a new way to help them understand an often overwhelming subject. Her willingness to share the knowledge, that she has acquired throughout her expansive career, with others is what makes Ms. Stocum an exemplary scholarship award recipient.

William Howard Taft University is pleased to welcome Ms. Stocum to our student body and help her achieve her educational goals. We know that she will take what she learns through our Program and share it with new and aspiring teachers.

Dr. Neil Johnson Assumes Role of Chief Academic Officer

William Howard Taft University is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Neil Johnson to the position of Chief Academic Officer. Dr. Johnson brings over four decades of training, academic and business experience to the University.

He earned his Doctorate degree from Colorado State University in Experimental Psychology, holds a Master’s degree in Organizational Psychology and completed a two-year post-doctorate in Clinical Psychology at Denver University School of Professional Psychology. He is a U.S. Army veteran and a distinguished graduate of the Defense Logistics Management School.

Dr. Johnson has over 40 years of higher education experience as an instructor and professor for nationally and regionally accredited colleges, and as a corporate director of training. He is internationally recognized for his published research on aviation safety and training of commercial and military flight crews, is a former member of the International Space Station Advisory Committee, and has extensive international business experience in Europe, Russia, the Middle East, Nepal, Mexico and South America.

Scholarship Winner Announced

William Howard Taft University is pleased to announce Mark Greenfield as the recipient of the 12th Annual Roger J. Duthoy Scholarship Opportunity. Mr. Greenfield impressed the scholarship committee with his dedication to educate our youth as well as his wide-ranging experience in the field.

Throughout his 20 year career in education, he has held positions as a teacher, Principal, Administrator and is currently Superintendent of schools at the Yreka Union High School District in California. His passion for education was evident throughout his application. He is clearly committed to his profession and making a positive impact on students and education professionals around him.

In addition to his Superintendent responsibilities, Mr. Greenfield is a member of a number of education boards and community associations. His active participation in his community along with his commitment to education has made him the clear choice for this year’s award.

The University looks forward to helping Mr. Greenfield achieve his educational goals and share his knowledge and experience with the administrators, teachers and students that surround him.