LAKE WYLIE, SC, April 20, 2018 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Marquis Who's Who, presents Charles Willard Ford, Ph.D., with the Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award. Dr. Ford celebrates many years of experience in his professional efforts, noted for achievements, leadership qualities, and the credentials he has accrued. As in all Marquis Who's Who biographical volumes, individuals profiled are selected on the basis of factors such as previous positions, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility, and prominence in a field.
With more than 50 years of professional experience to his credit, Dr. Ford retired with more than thirty years of service at the University of New England (UNE) in Maine.
Nevertheless, he remains professionally active, consulting in educational accreditation. He joined the University of New England in 1982 as a consultant becoming the Dean of Undergraduate Colleges and Professor of Health Sciences. Chosen as the University President in 1984, he served in that role until August, 1991. See website
(http://www.une.edu/president/past/charlesford) for more details. The University of New England has grown rapidly, becoming the largest private University in Maine with multiple program offerings, particularly in the health professions.
Prior to the University of New England employment, he served in a variety of health-related academic positions in Buffalo, Chicago, and Grand Rapids, including Dean. Dr. Ford began his career as a classroom teacher and desired to complete his academic career in the classroom. Upon completing his doctorate, he and Barbara, his wife, elected to undertake public service in a developing country. The couple spent two years in Ghana, West Africa, with their three young children. Dr. Ford served as Associate Director of Peace Corps Ghana, a Foreign Service position. With the largest Peace Corps program in the world at the time, Dr. Ford maintained responsibility for nearly 200 volunteers in education and health. The experience in Africa piqued his interest in foreign culture, which led to his traveling with Barbara to more than 70 countries to date.
Early in his college teaching career after the family returned to the State University of
New York at Buffalo, he co-edited Teaching in the Health Professions followed by Clinical Education for the Allied Health Professions, successful textbooks for graduate students. He continued to write chapters in books and articles in journals. As President at UNE, he assumed additional administrative roles but continued to teach. For example, he joined the Board of Governors for the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine with elections for terms as president of both the Maine Independent Colleges Association and the Maine Higher Education Council.
Dr. Ford graduated from Palmyra, Pennsylvania, schools. He earned a liberal arts degree from Taylor University in Indiana followed by bachelor's and master's degrees from Pennsylvania State University. His Ph.D. at the State University of New York at Buffalo focused on organizational behavior including a dissertation with the title of Change and Resistance to Change. His interests varied widely. Dr. Ford often referred to himself as a jack of many trades and master of few. For example, an instrument rated pilot, he also plays the oboe. His diverse education included Biblical courses in his liberal arts study and medical development courses at the University of Michigan. The University of New England enlisted him to teach baccalaureate students in business and the health professions, master degree students in education, and doctoral level students in physical therapy.
When the University of New England agreed to offer the B.S.N. degree to registered Israeli nurses in Israel, few faculty indicated interest in teaching in Tel Aviv given the periodic bombings. Dr. Ford became the first volunteer to inaugurate the teaching program. Expansion of the nursing program soon followed in both Jerusalem and Haifa. Dr. Ford and his wife spent nearly three years living in Israel over the course of ten years with a spring teaching program. He eventually taught over 1600 nursing students. His experience in Israel combined with his liberal arts studies proved useful in local churches and other organizations teaching Bible related courses as well as leading tours to Egypt, Israel, and Jordan.
As a Professor, Dr. Ford continued his activity in professional efforts. He wrote dozens of articles and made presentations in various locations continuing his early effort totaling over 100 venues in the United States for workshops and accreditation visits. His work took him to locations from Alaska to Florida, from Maine to Hawaii. He maintained his interest in international efforts making presentations in Europe, Asia, South America, Central America, and Africa.
Dr. Ford accrued accolades and honors. His favorite two: (1) the first occurred when he studied as a doctoral student. As President of the Student Higher Education Association, he was selected to head the security detail for the Martin Luther King, Jr. address at Kleinhan's Music Hall in Buffalo, 1967. Later he introduced Dexter King, son of MLK, Jr. at the University of New England during a MLK, Jr. Day celebration. (2) In the mid-1990s, he became one of five members chosen to participate in a group study exchange. He spent five weeks in the Rhineland of Germany living with German families. The exchange included taking part in local events including the anniversary of the end of WW II.
In recognition of outstanding contributions to his profession and the Marquis Who's Who community, Dr. Ford has been featured on the Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement website. Please visit www.ltachievers.com for more information about this honor.
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