KANSAS CITY, MO, July 19, 2019 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Marquis Who's Who, the world's premier publisher of biographical profiles, is proud to present Donald J. Breckon with the Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award. An accomplished listee, Dr. Breckon celebrates many years' experience in his professional network, and has been noted for achievements, leadership qualities, and the credentials and successes he has accrued in his field. As in all Marquis Who's Who biographical volumes, individuals profiled are selected on the basis of current reference value. Factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility, and prominence in a field are all taken into account during the selection process.
Before embarking on his professional journey, Dr. Breckon initially earned an Associate of Arts from St. Clair County Junior College in 1959. Subsequently, he obtained a Bachelor of Science in 1961 and a Master of Arts from Central Michigan University in 1963. He continued his academic efforts with a Master of Public Health at the University of Michigan in 1968, a Doctor of Philosophy in 1977 at Michigan State University, a postdoctoral study year with the American Council on Education in 1997, and a Harvard University Leadership for the 21st Century workshop in 1997.
Dr. Breckon began his career with Central Michigan University as an instructor of Health Education in 1963. The recipient of several teaching effectiveness awards, he progressed rapidly through the ranks of Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, and a tenured full Professor between 1972 and 1981. From 1981 to 1985, he held posts of an Assistant Dean of HPER, and Associate Dean of Education, Health and Human Services, before concluding his tenure with the University as Acting Dean of the Graduate School and Vice Provost for Research in 1986-1987. At that time, he was also Mayor of Mt. Pleasant, Michigan. Subsequent to his departure, Dr. Breckon found success as President of Park College, which grew into Park University under his leadership. He retired in 2001.
In a presidency filled with several highlights, Dr. Breckon is proud to have relieved Park University of their economic debt during his 14-year presidency. He is also gratified to have made major contributions towards diversifying the demographic of the university, which served as another major hallmark of their growth. Several campus facilities were upgraded, replaced or added. The new sports center was named after him at the time of his retirement.
Under Dr. Breckon's leadership, the University developed online degree programs, which at the time were innovative, primarily to serve our nation's military bases. A very large nationwide network of military contracts was developed to provide college degree options for adult students in on-base traditional classroom settings and via internet degree options.
A small limestone mining project beneath the campus was greatly expanded and academic facilities were developed in the newly created space, called "The Academic Underground." The "Parkville Commercial Underground" was then developed in a "for-profit" subsidiary corporation, creating a large business park beneath the campus.
A respected voice in the industry, Dr. Breckon's written works include three university level text books and numerous journal articles in health-related fields, as well as journal articles about academic administration in higher education. His publication record includes more than 100 journal articles, several monographs and chapters, case studies, and book reviews. Continuing into his retirement, he often wrote columns and "Letters to the Editor" for area newspapers. Additionally, Dr. Breckon has been an invited speaker at dozens of state and national conferences, and has presented many dozens of speeches at local service clubs and community groups. Civically, Dr. Breckon has devoted his time to numerous non-profit heath agencies at the local, state and national levels, and served on several municipal boards in both Michigan and Missouri.
As a testament to his impressive career, he has been the recipient of numerous honors and accolades, including the Lifetime Achievement Award for dedicated service to Parkville, and the Public Administrator of the Year Award from the Greater Kansas City Chapter for American Society of Public Administration, and has been honored as the Kansas City Northlander of the Year, among others.
In recognition of outstanding contributions to his profession and the Marquis Who's Who community, Dr. Breckon 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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Since 1899, when A. N. Marquis printed the First Edition of Who's Who in America®, Marquis Who's Who® has chronicled the lives of the most accomplished individuals and innovators from every significant field of endeavor, including politics, business, medicine, law, education, art, religion and entertainment. Today, Who's Who in America® remains an essential biographical source for thousands of researchers, journalists, librarians and executive search firms around the world. Marquis® now publishes many Who's Who titles, including Who's Who in America®, Who's Who in the World®, Who's Who in American Law®, Who's Who in Medicine and Healthcare®, Who's Who in Science and Engineering®, and Who's Who in Asia®. Marquis® publications may be visited at the official Marquis Who's Who® website at www.marquiswhoswho.com.
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