Lowell Milken visits the Fort Scott center that bears his name

Lowell Milken Center Program Director Megan Felt talks to Lowell Milken (right) on Monday about Mary Fischer's student project focusing on Grace Lorch, a Boston teacher who was the first to challenge a school regulation in that city requiring women teachers to resign after marriage. Fischer (center) is a sophomore at Christian Learning Center. (Ruth Campbell/Tribune)

Lowell Milken paid a visit Monday, for the first time ever, to the center that bears his name.

The businessman and philanthropist traveled from California with others in his group to visit the center, established in 2007 in partnership with center director Norm Conard. Milken viewed the center, met government officials and community members, and took part in a ceremony Monday afternoon where he received the keys to the city and a proclamation.

"I'm inspired by the work the center is doing," Milken said. "I think it's changing lives."

Danny Ellis of Fort Scott (right) gives a thumbs up to Lowell Milken, who visited the center bearing his name for the first time on Monday. The afternoon-long reception attracted dignitaries from around the community, like Ellis.(Ruth Campbell/Tribune)

In the group that came with Milken was Milken Family Foundation Senior Vice President Bonnie Somers, who said "it's a thrill to be here in person."

"We're inspired by the work that comes out of Fort Scott," she said. "He (Milken) really wanted to see it for himself."

Somers said Milken stays very involved with the center, frequently keeping in touch with Conard and Program Director Megan Felt.

Mayor Jim Adams (left) hands the keys to the city to Lowell Milken (right) during his visit to the Lowell Milken Center on Monday. City Manager Dave Martin is on the left. Milken also received letters from Gov. Sam Brownback and U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran, R-Kansas, neither of whom could not attend. The city also issued a proclamation in Milken's honor.

"He and Norm communicate ... He is sort of a senior adviser," Somers said.

Milken said there are plans to grow the center and reach even more students in the future. The center has reached more than 4,100 schools and 400,000 students since its inception.

"The reach is far beyond Fort Scott," the Santa Monica, Calif., resident said.

"I don't view our work as one that necessarily emanates out of a physical location, but we need to have a physical location. I've been fortunate to have a good opportunity to work with a number of outstanding educators in Kansas, Norm being one of them. We met when I presented him with the Milken Educator Award in 1992," Milken said.

Milken said he had a very positive first impression of Fort Scott and the center.

"It's been very inspiring to see Fort Scott in person," he said.

During the ceremony, Fort Scott City Manager Dave Martin and Mayor Jim Adams issued a proclamation declaring Feb. 13 as Lowell Milken Day in Fort Scott and gave Milken a key to the city for his philanthropic efforts and support of kindergarten through 12th grade education.

U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran, R-Kan., who could not attend the event, said in a letter to Milken read at the ceremony, "Kansans appreciate the presence of the Lowell Milken Center."

Gov. Sam Brownback, who also did not make the ceremony, thanked Milken in a letter for his commitment to opportunities for education and the center for developing stories and changing lives.

Milken said the education field is important because it is an "avenue by which individuals can have great opportunities.

"I grew up in a middle-class family," he said. "I made the most of my education."

Milken said part of the center's purpose is to prepare students "not to just get good jobs, but to be good citizens."

"With the work the center is doing, I think we're accomplishing those goals," he said.

Milken founded the center in 2007 -- the only Lowell Milken Center in the world. His reputation was a visionary leader in education reform has been honed by more than three decades of education research, policy and practices, as well as firsthand visits to thousands of classrooms and the creation of major national initiatives, including TAP: The System for Teacher and Student Achievement, a news release said.

Milken said he has presented 60 awards to Kansas educators.

Milken is recognized by educators, universities and media as one of America's most generous philanthropists. His support of the center in Southeast Kansas is an example, the release said.

"He's a pioneer in recognition of teachers as the most important factor in education," Somers said.

While the center's physical location is 4 S. Main St., its hometown address is also accurately reflected as ".org" -- a destination without boundaries. Felt said the Internet "allows us to stay in hometown America while offering an international outreach."

Conard added, "It is not unusual for daily visitors to our website to come from all corners of the world."

Conard said he and staff at the center were proud to host Milken and glad he was able to see the center and Fort Scott.

"He supports projects at the center," Conard said. "He's a person who develops very fresh ideas. It meant a lot for the center, for him to see the projects we do, and also to meet many people in this area who are behind us."

Milken has a "heavy involvement" in education not only around the country, but the world, and is also a good resource for the center, Conard said.

"He stays in touch with so many wonderful educators and teachers," he said.

The center's website, www.lowellmilkencenter.org, was recently redesigned and now features streaming video of many award-winning projects about unsung heroes who have changed the world. Online visitors can also take a virtual tour of current exhibits at the center.

The center discovers, develops and communicates the stories of unsung heroes who have made a profound and positive difference on the course of history.