Alumni Spotlight
Ken Neale ‘68
Major: Elementary Education
Occupation: Retired Public School Administrator/Currently
Contractor
After graduation from high school Ken looked forward to finding a college where he could earn a degree in elementary education and develop Christian friendships. Evangel’s reputation fit the bill, so he packed one trunk in the fall of 1964 and headed west from Trafford, PA toward a new and exciting adventure.
Ken’s fondest memories of Evangel are of the positive personal relationships established with fellow students and the meaningful interaction he had with the professors. He found the instructors to be solid Christians with academic skills and interests; but to his amazement, Ken discovered that they also had “real world” interests as well. He was drawn to Dr. Jim Blakey and Dr. Jack Blizzard who shared his mechanical interest in cars and motorcycles. To this day Ken fondly recalls time spent, both inside and outside the classroom with these and other well-rounded Christian scholars.
The experiences Ken had during his four years at Evangel laid a strong foundation spiritually, intellectually and socially for the career he chose upon graduation. Within the Springfield Public School system he became an elementary teacher, then an elementary principal. After earning a Doctorate in Education from the University of Missouri Ken went on to administrative positions as Personnel Director and Assistant Superintendent for Elementary Education. Through the years he’s had significant interaction with Evangel students and faculty in his position as a public school administrator, and has kept a keen interest in all that has gone on at Evangel. As a member of the Evangel alumni board for the past five years, Ken has enjoyed being involved in the many changes experienced by the school.
Ken’s wife, Linda, attended one art class at Evangel when she was working on her Bachelor’s degree in elementary education. Although not an “official” alum of E.U. she has grown to love the university while serving with Ken at many alumni functions. She considers herself to be an alum “in spirit.” Ken and Linda are both retired from Springfield Public Schools and are pursuing new part-time careers. Ken is presently contracting a new house project and does volunteer work on a regular basis. Linda works two days a week in a law office, in addition to her volunteer work. Ken and Linda attend Evangel Temple Christian Center in Springfield.
Ken states, “I met life-long friends while attending Evangel College as a student, and I am continuing to enjoy many of those friendships at Evangel Temple, as I serve on Evangel University’s alumni board, and as I participate in alumni activities. Evangel was and is an integral part of my Christian experience.”