April 23, 2001
JUNIOR NAMED PRESIDENT FOR A DAY
LA CROSSE, Wis.—Ever wonder what it would be like to be in Viterbo President William Medland’s shoes for a day? Well, junior Rebecca Morphew is going to find out.
On Tuesday, April 24, Morphew, from Crestwood, Ill., will be the Viterbo University "President for a Day." She will assume Medland’s responsibilities as president by attending meetings with various department heads, reviewing case studies, checking mail, and responding to correspondence. Her schedule, though not as long as a typical day in the life of a university president, is from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
President Medland, in contrast, got off easy. Morphew’s schedule for the day is light so he may only need to attend her Medical Microbiology lab from 9 a.m. to noon. Although he may have to deal with issues related to her responsibilities as a resident assistant and as a student manager in the cafeteria. The day should prove interesting for both as their areas of study are different. Morphew is a Liberal Studies major with a minor in biology, while Medland has his Ph.D. in history. Morphew hopes Medland is up to the challenge.
She eventually wants to pursue a career that includes university administration. After graduating from Viterbo next year, she plans to get her master’s degree in student affairs and then seek an administrative job at a university. She believes her experience as "President for a Day" will give her a glimpse at what her future responsibilities could be.
"President for a Day" is an annual event sponsored by Viterbo's Sigma Pi Delta.
Viterbo University is a four-year, co-educational, liberal arts college located in La Crosse, Wis. The Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration founded it more than a century ago.