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About the Center for Conflict Resolution
Quick Facts
History of the Center for Conflict Resolution For many years, ACU offered a variety of classes in conflict management through the College of Arts and Sciences’ communication and psychology departments and the College of Biblical Studies. Faculty for these courses included Angela Brenton, Joe Cardot, Joey Cope, Randy Lowry, Paul Lakey, Robert McKelvain, Robert Otey, Laura Otey, Peter Robinson and Charles Siburt. In 1999, these courses were pulled together and ACU offered its first Graduate Certificate in Conflict Mediation program. Due to the vision and generosity of Dr. Robert J. “Jerry” Strader and his wife, Patsy, the Center for Conflict Resolution was created in August 2000 with Joey Cope selected as the Center’s executive director. Housed in a single office on campus, the Center assumed direction of the Graduate Certificate program and began providing outreach services in conflict management, prevention and resolution. Since its inception the Center, has grown in visibility in secular and religious communities throughout the United States and the world. In 2001, the Alternatives in Mediation (AIM) program was created as a free service to ACU students. The goals of the AIM program are to encourage students to resolve conflict productively, and to teach students the skills and spirit of peacemaking. In the same year, Pam Horn joined the Center as the student advisor and intake coordinator. In 2002, the Center partnered with the Better Business Bureau to form the West Texas Mediation Center, a low-cost dispute resolution service for businesses and customers to resolve commercial conflicts. In January 2004, Jerry Strader began serving as the mediator-in-residence for the Center. Through the generosity of John and Diane Duncum, the Center moved off campus to its current, store-front location at 809-B Judge Ely Boulevard. in 2005. The Center’s Advisory Team was formed in January 2006. Current members include John Duncum, Diane Duncum, Colleen Durrington, Randy Lowry, Fernando Nasmyth, Pam Money, Royce Money, Dub Orr, Jim Orr, Roland Orr, Barry Packer, Charles Siburt, Dwayne VanRheenen, David Wray, and Patty Wenetschlaeger. Also in 2006, One Peace Conflict Resolution Services, the Center’s in-house consulting group, was founded to provide conflict analysis, training, and mediation services to individuals, churches, businesses, and schools. In the fall of the same year, ACU formed the Department of Conflict Resolution and established the Master of Arts degree in Conflict Resolution and Reconciliation. Joey Cope was appointed associate professor and chair of the new department. To make the masters degree and graduate certificate accessible to more students, the Department of Conflict Resolution teamed up with ACU WorldWide to provide its courses online. Additionally, Matt Dodd joined the Center as assistant director and online facilitator for the Department of Conflict Resolution. A long-time dream for the Center and the Duncum family became reality in August 2006 when the ACU Board of Trustees approved construction of the Diane and John Duncum Center for Conflict Resolution on property adjacent to the main campus. The generous gifts from the Duncums and other friends has underwritten the new 7,000 square foot facility that will be completed in 2008. In January of 2007, Lori Anne Shaw joined the Center’s team as assistant director for program development and online facilitator for the Department of Conflict Resolution. In the fall of 2007, Garry Bailey will begin serving as associate professor for the Department of Conflict Resolution.
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