Biography of D. Merrill Ewert
Education
Ph.D. — 1977, adult and continuing education, University of Wisconsin-Madison,
M. A. — 1971, cultural anthropology, University of Wisconsin-Madison
B. A. — 1967, social science, Tabor College, Hillsboro, Kansas,
Administration and Teaching Experience
Fresno Pacific UniversityPresident, (June 2002 – present)
Provide overall leadership for the university which currently enrolls 1,000 regular undergraduate students, 650 students in a degree completion program, and 680 graduate students. Another 12,000 people participate in continuing education courses and programs over the course of a year. Frequent speaker at community and university events; active in local civic boards and educational organizations.
Cornell Cooperative ExtensionDirector and Assoc Dean, (Apr. 1998 – June 2002)
Served as Director of Extension as well as Associate Dean. Provided overall leadership and have management and fiscal oversight for Cornell Cooperative Extension. Responsible for 57 county extension offices around the state, a staff of 1700, and annual budget of $120 million. Advised graduate students and carried out research on values and community-based development.
Cornell UniversityAssistant Professor of Education (1991-1996)
Associate Professor of Education (1996-1998)
Taught and did research on adult education and community development. Extension activities emphasized training in facilitation skills for scientists, extension agents and subject matter specialists. Research examined how literacy contributes to building social capital and sustainable community development.
Wheaton CollegeDirector, Extension and Continuing Education (1986 – 1990)
Defined program direction, developed media packages, marketed distance learning courses and managed department staff. Developed and promoted continuing education workshops and seminars for adult learners. Taught graduate courses in adult education, community development and cross-cultural education.
MAP InternationalAfrica Regional Director, Nairobi, Kenya (1984 – 1986)
Established and managed MAP's Africa regional program, recruited and trained international staff, initiated and conducted training seminars throughout the region on rural development, cross-cultural education, and the training-of-trainers.
MAP InternationalDirector of Training and Nonformal Education, (1981-1984)
Led workshops on community-based development, health education and cross-cultural education. Designed and produced curricular materials on health development, published articles on community development for the professional literature, and provided consultancy services to rural development projects around the world.
University of MarylandAssistant Professor, Adult Education (1977-1981)
Taught courses on adult/extension education and program evaluation. Carried out research on adult literacy, led staff development workshops on adult learning and provided intercultural training for international development organizations.
Mennonite Central Committee(MCC)Project Director, Kikwit, Congo (1973-1976)
Planned and implemented rural development project, and selected and trained team of extension/community development staff. Administered the program and led workshops on adult education, program design, project evaluation and community development.
Mennonite Brethren Board of Missions and Services, (Kajiji, Congo)Relief Coordinator and Extension Educator, 1967 - 1969 (U.S. office, Hillsboro, KS)
Administered feeding program in southern Congo. Responsible for budgeting, purchasing and shipping supplies, and managing the distribution system. Developed and implemented a community-based, agricultural extension project.
Honors and Awards
Tabor College Alumni Merit Award - 2007
Fulbright Senior Scholar - 1997-1998 (Cebu, Philippines)
Outstanding Service Award - 1981 (Maryland Association for Adult Education)
Distinguished Service Award - 1980 (American Association for Adult and Continuing Education)
Tabor College Alumni Medallion Award - 1978 (Outstanding young alumnus)
Professional Affiliations
Consulting Editor, Adult Education Quarterly (1992-2002)
Member of the Editorial Board, Journal of the Community Development Society (1994-2002)
Serve on various civic boards and committees — One-by-One Fresno (community-based development organization in Fresno, CA), Central Valley Higher Education Consortium, Fresno Education Compact, etc.
International Experience
Consultant and Trainer - Have served as program design consultant and led workshops and seminars in more than 20 countries on adult education, community development and cross-cultural education.
Publications
Have written widely on adult education and community development issues. See press room for more information.
Foreign Languages
Lingua Franca Kikongo (fluent)
French (reading and conversational)
Low German (native speaker)
