For more information, contact Michael Dawes, 620-792-9307, dawesm@bartonccc.edu

August 18, 2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Story by: Michael Dawes

One Woman's Place

There was no sense of historical significance, and certainly no thought of one female breaking down late-1970s-barriers to the doors of male-dominated board rooms. In 1977, Bobbie Peters became the first woman to run for a seat on Barton Community College's Board of Trustees simply because she felt she was well qualified to carry out the duties of the position.

"I didn't think about being the first woman at all," said Peters. "I just knew that I had the background to do the job well."

Peters served as Barton's business manager even before the College was built. She was among the first employees hired in 1968 and she stayed in that role until 1976. She held a similar position at Colby Community College, prior to coming to Barton. When she left the College to help with the family business, she decided to maintain connection with the College by running for the Board.

Peters won the seat and served five years from 1977 to 1981. She resigned the position a year into her second term when she and her husband relocated to Kansas City for business during summer 1981.

"I really had a handle on things because I had worked with the College from the beginning and watched it all grow," said Peters, referring to Barton's emergence as a state leader in higher education from its start-up in fall 1969. "I felt like my background of helping with the budget every year at both community colleges, I learned tremendously before I was ever on the board."

Peters' inclination to serve in education may be an innate trait. Her father was a school-board member. Her brother was a state legislator, who chaired the education committee for many years.

"I'd always had an interest in the Board because I've always been exposed to serving the community," said Peters. "I tell people, ‘You think one person can't make a difference, but you can. You can be instrumental in change and in governing.'"

Housing was an ongoing project during Peters' time on the Board. The first seven living centers were opened in fall 1977. Barton opened three more living centers the following year and then made available earth-sheltered residency in fall 1979, providing housing to more than 200 students.

Peters was instrumental in helping to plan the initial Foundation auctions with then executive director Frank Aydelotte. She even served as one of the first chairs of the annual Big Benefit Auction, now in its 31st year.

Peters also initiated more involvement for the Board with the Kansas Association of Community Colleges, becoming Barton's first delegate to the group. She also served as chair of KACC two of her early years on the Board.

Barton enrollment steadily increased during Peters' time on the Board. The College topped 2,000 students for the first time in its history during fall 1977. It had grown to well over 3,000 when she left the Board five years later. Today, Barton has become a comprehensive learning environment, providing on-campus, outreach, online and interactive television offerings to more than 13,000 students. Peters is amazed at the delivery options of today and is astonished at the College's growth.

"I thought it would take longer for the College to grow, but it just really blossomed," said Peters. "It certainly has filled the need with the community and our state.