Code,999062
Subject,Richard Brhel and Anthony Piazza of Myers University
Date,7/15/2008
Interviewer,Erin Bell and James Calder
Abstract,"Anthony Piazza, the Director of Paralegal Services at Myers University, praises the practical curriculum and atmosphere that Myers University offers its students. The dedication of the non-traditional students and professional staff harbor a superb downtown university experience for those searching for a business school education. In the second half of the interview Richard Brhel, the Director of the Library at Myers University, is introduced. Brhel provides the history of the Myers University, which he argues is the university's best kept secret. From the long list of Myers prominent alumni, its extraordinary number of name and location changes, and its transformations and adaptability stay cutting edge; this small school has remained resilient to the hardships its faced over the past 150 years. "
Tags:,"myers university, dyke college, spencerian school of business, handwriting, business education, folsom business school, bryant and stratton, rockefeller, firestone"
Special Notes,Between minutes 18 and 19 Piazza leaves the interview and Richard Brhel's interview starts. 
minutes:,
0,Introductions are made by Erin Bell and Anthony Piazza. Piazza is the Director of Paralegal Services at Myers University. Lists some of the alumni.
1,Piazza mentions what many students do after graduation. Dictates why the school has recently received negative publicity.
2,"Enrollment dropped due to the negative publicity, however, everything eventually worked out. He mentions that Myers is accredited. "
3,Myers is a private college. Students are attracted to Myers atmosphere rather than price. 
4,He explains that Myers services non-traditional students. First college in Ohio to develop online education. 
5,In the 1970s they conducted distance learning through setting up a lesson plan and postal mailing assignments. 
6,The distance learning developed into online classes. He keeps in contact with his students after they graduate. 
7,"A few students, he knows of, still stay in contact. He attributes this to the close-knit atmosphere of the school. He lists what some of his students have gone on to accomplish. "
8,They recruit students via word of mouth. His adult students are very dedicated. 
9,The school attracts older and need based students. The downtown location of the university is important. 
10,Piazza notes where the student communal spaces are located and adds that the school does have a number of student organizations. 
11,"The La Cave, late-1960s, music venue. Adele's is now the Euclid Tavern. Both on 105th and Euclid. "
12,"The university is practical based, meaning the upper-division classes are taught by professionals in the field. "
13,His experience in law school was theory based and he therefore was not prepared for the real world. His students get a practical education. 
14,When he first started they taught shorthand. Dyke College was a predominantly an African American school that taught secretarial work. 
15,He notes how useful technology has been in his profession. He mentions the Agora on 55th and Euclid. 
16,He reminisces about going to the various music venues in Cleveland and also in Detroit. 
17,"He lists off some of the bands that he saw perform before they made it big. Cleveland used to be the center of rock and roll, but now he believes the city has lost its edge. "
18,Piazza leaves the interview and in passing asks if the interview will be on the radio. Thanks are exchanged. 
19,Richard Brhel is the Director of the Library at Myers University and provides his educational background. He provides a brief history of Folsom Business School. 
20,Two schools merged to create Folsom Business School. Big names have been affiliated with Folsom since its inception. 
21,Rockefeller was a student there. In 1929 the college presented Rockefeller with a scroll of distinction. 
22,Brhel lists a couple of prominent alumni. There is a ledger that lists all the students that attended the college from the 1850s-1960s. 
23,Bryant and Stratton were students at Folsom and then broke-off and created their own school. Bryant and Stratton merged with Folsom eventually. 
24,Brhel notes that different schools merged together before the school became Myers. The standardization of handwriting was an important skill taught at the schools. 
25,He explains the purpose of a penman in the first half of the 19th century.
26,The penman taught bookkeeping and Spencerian handwriting.  Spencerian style was taught across the nation. 
27,The discussion of Spencerian handwriting continues. This style of handwriting developed into an art. 
28,"Spencerian College in 1877 first, Dyke College in 1884 was an off-shoot, then the two schools merged in 1942. He notes the original location of the school. "
29,Brhel continues to list the colleges' previous locations. 
30,Location discussion continues. 
31,Brhel explains how the merger between the Spencerian School and Dyke College changed the structure/focus of the school. 
32,"Business schools have changed over time, in general, from a more specific trade focus to a four-year degree. "
33,Myers is the second oldest surviving business school in the country. Oberlin Business School closed in the 1970s. 
34,He mentions from what evidence Myers is able to claim the title of being the second oldest surviving business school in the country. 
35,Fenn College developed from education through the YMCA. Spencerian and Dyke developed from nationally renowned schools. 
36,"With the advent of state funded schools, institutions like Spencerian and Dyke found it difficult to compete. "
37,Different educational institutions borrow from one another. 
38,In 1995 Dyke College became Myers. Brhel explains why the name changed and notes when the school transitioned from a college to an university. 
39,Brief mention of David Myers' background. 
40,Myers predecessor schools were named after administrators rather than donors. 
41,The school barely got by financially and never had a large endowment. 
42,When Spencerian and Dyke merged there were only 65 students. Today Myers has 200 students. 
43,The students and staff are dedicated to the school regardless of the drop in applicants. 
44,A shortcoming of the school has been the schools reluctance to use the schools history as a marketing strategy. 
45,"Few students , as well as staff, are aware of the schools prominent history. Maxine Levin's grandmother was a graduate of Spencerian. "
46,Only those that make an effort to know the history of the school find it out. The history of the school is its best kept secret. 
47,The multiple name changes may have contributed to so few knowing the schools history. 
48,Firestone was given an Honorary PhD. There was some newspaper coverage of the schools prominent alumni. 
49,Brhel lists more prominent alumni. Brhel describes a Spencerian writing book that he brought to the interview. 
50,He continues to describe the materials he brought to the interview. 
51,The materials are further described and copies of the materials are offered to the interviewers. 
52,The materials discussion continues. The school won medals at the World Fairs. 
53,The materials discussion continues. The interview ends. 
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