By: Emily Langness, editor
9/13/2007

Walk past Kyle Usrey’s office in the Davis Administration Building, and you’ll frequently see an open door framing oriental art on the far wall. Walk through that open door, and you’ll see that is just one piece of the world the new dean of the College of Business, Arts, Science and Education has brought with him to Friends University.

Not only are his walls and shelves filled with artifacts from across the globe, but both his professional and personal lives are designed with international furnishings.

He earned his bachelor of business administration degree in finance and economics at Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene, Texas, but Usrey claims Colorado as his home state. Earning his master of business administration in marketing as well as his juris doctorate, (a law degree) at the University of Colorado, he has practiced law and has clients as far away as southeast Asia.

He and his wife have an adoptive daughter from China who now works in investment banking in her home country, and Usrey visits periodically to visit and attend seminars on international law. Recently he has served at Whitworth College in Spokane, Wash., as dean of the School of Global Commerce and Management and was a founding dean of the School of Business and Entrepreneurial Leadership of Bakke Graduate University of Ministry in Seattle.

Usrey’s main short-term goal for the traditional undergraduate program at Friends is first understanding his surroundings and pinpointing where he can help.

"I’ll be doing a lot of listening to the hopes and dreams of the student body and faculty," he said. "I think there are some great things to Friends, and I want to find where I can fit in and provide leadership."

Later on, Usrey plans to be even more visibly involved in student life, possibly teaching a few classes and lecturing on occasion. He also plans to spend down-time with students eating at Casado or attending athletic games and fine arts concerts with his wife.

“I’m what they call a ‘walk-around manager,’” he said. “I like to see things firsthand and be a visible presence. The students are the clients. I want to know their hopes and desires in order to make CBASE the best it can be, and it is poised to do very well.”

The last dean of CBASE was Wayne Howdeshell who had worked at Friends since 1967 and is currently serving as the dean of the College of Adult and Professional Studies until their new dean arrives.

“I treasure the fact that people have dedicated so much of their lives to Friends and laid such a wonderful foundation,” Usrey said. “In fact, that was one of Friends’ attraction points. I think we should honor the saints who have gone before.”

“This is a fun time to be in higher education,” he added. “I love the intellectual stimulation that comes from being around young students. That’s what gets me fired up. I didn’t start out in academia, but it’s very personally rewarding. Wichita is a very good city, and I’m looking forward to being able to contribute.”