This past January, Beth Wheeler ’77, retired as director of external relations and Ann Pearce was named as her replacement.

Beth Wheeler

     Beth became Western’s director of external relations in 2001. In this role, she served as the university’s liaison with local, regional, state and national elected officials and was a part of the president’s cabinet. She also worked closely with Dr. Vartabedian on special projects.

     “Working for my alma mater has been satisfying,” Wheeler said. “I have been fortunate to collaborate with Western staff, faculty, administrators, retirees, students, alumni and advocates while here, and appreciate my experiences with each of them. These external relationships are critical to Western’s continued success, and manifest the philosophy that ‘the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.’ I am grateful for the mentoring of colleagues, including Presidents Janet Murphy, Jim McCarthy, Jim Scanlon and Bob Vartabedian. I am proud to have been associated with Western and look forward to its thriving into the future.”

     Beth is a native of Jameson, Mo. She earned her bachelor’s degree in recreation and leisure studies from Western and her master’s degree in recreation and leisure studies from the University of Central Missouri in 1979.

     “Beth worked diligently to promote Western, often behind the scenes,” said Dr. Vartabedian. “She has been an invaluable resource to many of us in our work on campus and in Jefferson City. She will be greatly missed.”

Ann Pearce

    Ann, whose title is special assistant to the president, is serving on Dr. Robert Vartabedian’s cabinet and is responsible for building and sustaining strong relationships with local, state and federal decision-makers to advance the university’s strategic goals.

     She worked for her alma mater, the University of Central Missouri, for 25 years, starting in the office of public relations and serving the last seven years of her tenure as the president’s chief of staff. In that position, Ann served as UCM’s liaison to the statewide higher education community, including the Missouri Department of Higher Education, the Coordinating Board for Higher Education and the Council on Public Higher Education. She also was a registered state lobbyist, working closely with state lawmakers and other officials to further UCM’s legislative agenda, and worked with Missouri’s congressional delegation in Washington, D.C., to secure federal appropriations.

     “Ann is a great addition to the Western family,” said Dr. Vartabedian. “She has been a highly respected member of Missouri’s higher education community for years, and will effectively represent us in the community and among state leaders in Jefferson City.”

     Prior to her time as chief of staff, Ann served as UCM’s director of communication and creative services, assistant director of public relations, editor and projects manager and news bureau manager. She has also worked in both the print and broadcast media, as well as the photography industry.

     Ann earned her bachelor of science degree in mass communication/broadcasting and film from UCM, and has received advanced professional development through summer institutes in communication at the University of Notre Dame, and in executive management at the Owen Graduate School of Management at Vanderbilt University.

     “Having worked in Missouri higher education for so many years, I am very familiar with Missouri Western’s dedication to its academic mission, as well as to its commitment to student success,” Ann said. “Those were crucial elements when I considered applying for this position, and I am honored to be selected as special assistant to the president.”

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