Letters of Recommendation

Letters of recommendation for Merrill L. Tew. 14601 SE 55th Street Bellevue WA 98006 May, 1993 Music Chair Search Committee Office of Academic Affairs Marylhurst College P. O. Box 261 Marylhurst OR 97036-0261 To the Committee: This is written on behalf of the candidacy of Mr. Merrill L. Tew for the position of Chair of the Music Department. I have known Merrill since 1972 when he was first employed at Palo Verde College in Blythe, California. I was President of the college at that time and was directly involved in the employment of all certificated personnel. Merrill's assignments in the first years of his employment were principally in music. His classes included theory, instrumental, and voice. Except for one other part-time community service band instructor, Merrill carried virtually all of the music courses offered by the college. Interest in music was difficult to sustain in the institution during the late 1970's and early 1980's, owing mainly to the isolation and insulation of the college and community from the mainstream of the cultural life of the larger urban areas. Fortunately for the college, Merrill had personally nurtured competencies in two additional disciplines which permitted us to continue to take advantage of his music skills in the reduced music program. Those areas were Real Estate (He is a licensed broker), and Computer Sciences. He continued his employment, teaching in all of these areas until his recent early retirement. While I am uncertain about his reasons for such early retirement, I believe it accurate to speculate that he desires to again be involved more fully in his own academic area. In terms of his competencies, two characteristics stand out in my own memory as his supervisor; detail and innovation. Merrill was always very conscious of the details of his responsibilities. He was attentive to the requirements of the calendar, for example, fulfilling his planning and scheduling responsibilities well in advance of the deadlines. His instructional methodologies were among the most innovative on the campus from the earliest years of his employment. He was the first to combine objective-oriented teaching with programmed instructional techniques. He was also the first not only to utilize computer assisted instruction, but to create programs for use in his own classes. Merrill participated in the professional activities of the faculty and held several leadership positions in that organization. I personally know Merrill and his wife, Alta, to be dedicated to their family, their church, and to their community. I would be pleased to respond further by telephone if it would be helpful or necessary. I heartily encourage your favorable consideration of his application. Sincerely, George W. Pennell, Ed.D. (Retired) Former President, Palo Verde College Telephone (206)746-5205 *************************** From: IRON::SHKABARAP 5-MAR-1996 13:52:10.40 To: SMTP%"Nikorag@byuh.edu" CC: SHKABARAP Subj: recommendation for Mr. Tew Gaylene K. Nikora Human Resources Director BYU-Hawaii I am writing on behalf of Mr. Merrill Tew who has applied for the position of Alumni Affairs Coordinator at your university. Due to the upcoming deadline, I am sending this recommendation via e-mail. Please advise if a snail version is needed. My association with Merrill Tew began in 1990 when I started teaching at Palo Verde College in Blythe, Califorina. At PVC, Merrill was very active in promoting computer courses, music, and in applying innovative teaching methods using computers. He also set up a computerized bulletin board system to help bring the community into the college. Since leaving Blythe, we have continued to correspond, primarily via e-mail. I have no hesitation in offering my recommendation of Merrill Tew. He is trustworthy, industrious, and has always shown a concern for the students. Please feel free to call me if you have any questions. Sincerely, Peter Shkabara ====================================================================== ******* ***** Peter Shkabara ** ** ** ** Systems Administrator ** ** ** ----------------------- ******** **** Information Systems ** ** Western New Mexico University ** ** ** Peter@wnmu.edu ** ***** (505) 538-6295 or 538-6436 ====================================================================== **************************** To: Gaylene K. Nikora From: Owen J. Cook Subject: Merrill Tew, Application for Alumni Affairs Coordinator I am well acquainted with Merrill Tew. He was a teacher at CCH during my administration. I associate with him now in [volunteer work]. While Tew was at CCH he taught subjects in the music department, and participated in related activities such as Lyceum Committee Chairman and Impresario. He was manager of and tombonist in the music department sponsored jazz-rock group, "Crwth," musical director of sundry dramaatico-musical productions including "Brigadoon" and "Die Fledermaus" with the Honolulu Symphony personnel as orchestra members. Tew served as music department chairman from 1969 through 1972. He enhanced the image of the Church College Music Department when his composition, "Opus for Orchestra," was performed by the Honolulu Symphony in 1966. His "Vectoral Studies for Piono Prelude" were premiered by a nationally recognized avant garde pianist, Richard Bunger, in 1970. His band composition "Vectoral Invention for Symphony Band, " was performed in 1971 by the BYU Wind Symphony at the Mormon Festival of Arts at BYU, Provo. It had been previously commissioned by the McKinley High School Band in Honolulu as a consequence of his previous compositions. Robert Springer, Administrative Assistant of Kamehameha schools and President of the Hawaii Music Educators' Association, wrote Tew a letter thanking him for having raised sufficient money to make the Association solvent through his organization of ticket sales and participation fee collections as [the state] 2nd Vice President and Festival Chairman [the previous school year]. The many accomplishments of Tew in his music career in Hawaii and elsewhere are very indicative of his organizational ability and keen interest in accomplishing his own and organization goals and objectives. I take pleasure in recommending Merrill Tew for your consideration in the position mentioned above. I served as President, The Church College of Hawaii for seven years, July 1,1964 through June 30, 1971. I brought such notable educators as Dr. Alton Wade, and Dr. Eric Shumway into the Church College of New Zealand [Alton Wade], and The Church College of Hawaii [Eric Shumway] I had been a member of The Pcific Board of Edufcation, acting directly under President David O. McKay from June 1957 to Dec. 31 1964. At that time I acted as Executive Secretary [superintendent] and gave the service to the Church. I earned my money as Assistant Superintendent of Long Beach Unified School District until I took the position as Pres. of The Church College of Hawaii. Please give Tew careful consideration.