The Registry Celebrates the Legacy of Dr. Belle S. Wheelan at SACSCOC Retirement Gala
Atlanta, GA — In a celebration marked by elegance, gratitude, and a sense of history, Senior Consultant Bob Smith, PhD, and his wife, Karin Strohbeck, recently attended a black-tie gala event honoring Dr. Belle S. Wheelan, the retiring president of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). The Registry was proud to sponsor and participate in this tribute to a trailblazing leader who has guided SACSCOC for two decades.
The event, held at the InterContinental Buckhead in Atlanta, brought together higher education leaders, colleagues, and friends of Dr. Wheelan, who made history as the first woman and first African American to serve as President of SACSCOC. Under her leadership, the organization navigated significant transitions in higher education accreditation, including updates to the Principles of Accreditation, the launch of the Small College Initiative, and continued operations through the COVID-19 pandemic.
Dr. Wheelan’s influence reaches far beyond the Southeast. Over her 50-year career in higher education, she has held key leadership roles nationally and served as an inspiration for many in the field.
The Registry proudly contributed as a sponsor of the gala, joining other institutions and organizations in supporting the event and its associated scholarship fund benefiting students attending SACSCOC-accredited institutions.
Thanks to the thoughtful coordination of Amy from The Registry’s leadership team, Bob and Karin hosted a Registry-sponsored table that welcomed up to ten Registry members and guests. Although two attendees had to cancel due to health reasons shortly before the event, the evening was nonetheless filled with warm connections and shared memories. The full list of attendees, including portraits and contact details, is available in our internal archive.
Dr. Bob Smith and Karin Strohbeck
As a token of appreciation and recognition, Dr. Smith was invited to record a brief congratulatory video expressing The Registry’s deep gratitude to Dr. Wheelan for her lifetime of service to higher education. He and Karin were also photographed in front of the gala’s signature tribute wall which was a special moment captured by the official event photographer.
This was not Dr. Smith’s first encounter with Dr. Wheelan. He and Karin have represented The Registry at five previous SACSCOC annual meetings, fostering valuable relationships with regional members and the SACSCOC leadership team over the years.
Reflecting on the evening, Dr. Smith remarked, “It was a moving experience to honor someone who has had such a profound impact on the landscape of higher education. Dr. Wheelan’s dedication to academic quality, student success, and institutional improvement is nothing short of remarkable.”
SACSCOC is one of six regional accrediting agencies recognized by the U.S. Department of
Education through the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). As the accrediting body for over 800 institutions in the southern United States, its role is critical in maintaining educational standards and continuous institutional improvement.
The Registry is honored to have been part of this celebration of leadership, legacy, and the enduring pursuit of excellence in higher education.
For more information on SACSCOC and Dr. Wheelan’s career, please refer to the resources included in this newsletter or visit sacscoc.org.
The Registry Celebrates the Legacy of Dr. Belle S. Wheelan at SACSCOC Retirement Gala
Atlanta, GA — In a celebration marked by elegance, gratitude, and a sense of history, Senior Consultant Bob Smith, PhD, and his wife, Karin Strohbeck, recently attended a black-tie gala event honoring Dr. Belle S. Wheelan, the retiring president of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). The Registry was proud to sponsor and participate in this tribute to a trailblazing leader who has guided SACSCOC for two decades.
The event, held at the InterContinental Buckhead in Atlanta, brought together higher education leaders, colleagues, and friends of Dr. Wheelan, who made history as the first woman and first African American to serve as President of SACSCOC. Under her leadership, the organization navigated significant transitions in higher education accreditation, including updates to the Principles of Accreditation, the launch of the Small College Initiative, and continued operations through the COVID-19 pandemic.
Dr. Wheelan’s influence reaches far beyond the Southeast. Over her 50-year career in higher education, she has held key leadership roles nationally and served as an inspiration for many in the field.
The Registry proudly contributed as a sponsor of the gala, joining other institutions and organizations in supporting the event and its associated scholarship fund benefiting students attending SACSCOC-accredited institutions.
Thanks to the thoughtful coordination of Amy from The Registry’s leadership team, Bob and Karin hosted a Registry-sponsored table that welcomed up to ten Registry members and guests. Although two attendees had to cancel due to health reasons shortly before the event, the evening was nonetheless filled with warm connections and shared memories. The full list of attendees, including portraits and contact details, is available in our internal archive.
Dr. Bob Smith and Karin Strohbeck
As a token of appreciation and recognition, Dr. Smith was invited to record a brief congratulatory video expressing The Registry’s deep gratitude to Dr. Wheelan for her lifetime of service to higher education. He and Karin were also photographed in front of the gala’s signature tribute wall which was a special moment captured by the official event photographer.
This was not Dr. Smith’s first encounter with Dr. Wheelan. He and Karin have represented The Registry at five previous SACSCOC annual meetings, fostering valuable relationships with regional members and the SACSCOC leadership team over the years.
Reflecting on the evening, Dr. Smith remarked, “It was a moving experience to honor someone who has had such a profound impact on the landscape of higher education. Dr. Wheelan’s dedication to academic quality, student success, and institutional improvement is nothing short of remarkable.”
SACSCOC is one of six regional accrediting agencies recognized by the U.S. Department of
Education through the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). As the accrediting body for over 800 institutions in the southern United States, its role is critical in maintaining educational standards and continuous institutional improvement.
The Registry is honored to have been part of this celebration of leadership, legacy, and the enduring pursuit of excellence in higher education.
For more information on SACSCOC and Dr. Wheelan’s career, please refer to the resources included in this newsletter or visit sacscoc.org.
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