January 23, 2003

University Honors Retired Registrar and Welcomes New Leadership

The Registrar's Office has entered the University of South Alabama's 40th anniversary year with new leadership, welcoming alumna Shirley Kargleder as University Registrar.

Kargleder takes over for Carolyn Parham, who recently retired as registrar after 34 years of service.

A native of South Dakota, Kargleder completed a bachelor of science degree in history education and a master of science degree in counselor education at Northern State College in South Dakota, and a master of business administration degree at USA. She served as registrar at Spring Hill College for 14 years.

"We are very fortunate to have recruited an individual of Ms. Kargleder's experience and qualifications to the University," said Dr. Pat Covey, senior vice president for academic affairs. "We conducted a nationwide search and had a large number of highly qualified applicants, but the best in the country turned out to be someone who is an alumna of the University of South Alabama."

Kargleder said she has always respected the University and the role it plays in the region.

"South is reaching its potential and it's exciting to be part of that. I've always had a close relationship with the University, and in some ways it's like returning home."

One of the biggest challenges Kargleder will face as the incoming registrar it he conversion to a new student information system that will be launched in the fall of 2003. The new integrated administrative software--SCT Banner--will greatly change the way the Registrar's Office does business.

Among the features the new software system will provide are on-line advising, registration, degree audits and grade submissions by faculty. The integrated system will also be employed in other student service offices including the bursar, admissions and financial aid.

"Banner is going to allow our office as well as other offices to be more proactive in reaching out to students via the Web," Kargleder said. "I think this is what the students want--more Web-based, real-time information versus manual operations."

Kargleder anticipates a smooth transition and credits Parham and her devoted staff.

"I'll continue to build on what Carolyn has created in the Registrar's Office and to take on a new generation of delivery of services," she said. "This is a really dedicated staff, and caring for students is at the heart of their hard work."

President Gorden Moulten honored Parham during her last commencement ceremony in the fall, calling the occasion a "historic personal triumph."

"As only the second registrar ever to serve USA, Carolyn Parham is one of the University's most dedicated staff members," Moulten said. "On behalf of all of the University of South Alabama family, I would like to thank her tireless service." Joining the University in 1969, Parham has witnessed tremendous change in the last three decades. Over the years, technology progressed and the University's enrollment tripled, causing the registrar's staff to adapt and expand its services. Registration technology, for example, evolved from computer course cards to computer terminals at campus-based registration, and later to the use of touch-tone phones and the Internet.

According to Parham, some of the greatest challenges faced in student records during her tenure have been the quater-to-semester conversion in 1998, the campuswide academic policy conversion in 1982, the addition of a fall annual commencement, registration following the devastation of Hurricane Frederic in 1979, and the current conversion to the new administrative software system, SCT Banner.

Parham was actively involved in the Alabama Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers, the Southern Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers, the American Association of Collegiate Registrars, and the National Student Clearinghouse Registrar Advisory Board. She served many posts in these state, regional, and national professional organizations, including that of president in both ALACRAO and SACRAO.

Parham has received numerous honors, including service and appreciation awards from the USA athletic department and Mitchell College of Business, and the Outstanding Administrator Award from the USA Alumni Association. She is also a member of Kappa Delta Pi and Omicron Delta Kappa.

The recently retired registrar said she is grateful to the University's first registrar, Marjorie Foster, for hiring her as assistant registrar in 1969, to President Fredrick Whiddon for promoting her to registrar in 1976, and to President Moulton and Vice President Covey for fully supporting her office during the last years of her tenure.

"Working at the University has been a delightful experience, and the people I have encountered daily, both the students and University personnel, have made it most memorable," Parham said. "I am especially grateful to my loyal, hard-working and highly motivated staff, who are like extended family to me."

Parham will be celebrated for her years of service to USA during a retirement reception which will be held from 3:30-5:30 p.m., Jan. 24 in the Student Center Terrace. She said she looks forward to taking care of some much-needed personal projects, building a house across the bay, spending more time with grandchildren, devoting more time to travel and not having to get up every day at a certain time.