Student Affairs relocates; New Deans selected W hen the Office of Student Affairs moved this summer from the Administration building to the second floor of the Student Center, more than just a few papers got rearranged. In fact, all four dean positions in the office were vacated. Dr. Jerome Barnes was promoted from Dean of Campus Life to Vice President for Student Affairs. The Dean of Campus Life position was abolished. Maribeth Downing and Butch Gardner both left their positions as Associate Deans of Students. Downing returned to the classroom fulltime. Gardner was appointed Dean of Students. His association with Harding began in the 1970's as a student. In 1979, he took the position as Assistant basketball coach, staying until 1984. After spending three years as the head coach at the University of Arkansas in Pine Bluff, he returned to Harding in 1987 to work as Associate Dean of Students. In his new role this year, Gardner helped in the daily operations of Student Affairs and also coordinated the summer orientation program for incoming freshmen. He contributed time to several organizations, including the National Association of Foreign Student Advisors and the Arkansas College Personnel Association. One of Gardner's goals for the year was to guide students by helping them "grow and mature spiritually," by his example and by exorting them. Foy O'Neal fi lled the opening of Dean of Men. He joined the Harding Administration in 1986 as the Assistant Director of Admissions. In his new role as Dean of Men, O'Neal's duties included supervision of the male students and their dorms. In addition to his duties as a dean, he was a Foreign Student Advisor. O'Neal, who says his "whole life is at Harding," wanted to work this year to "be open to the personal needs of students, and to be of use where needed." Kay Gowen moved into the office next door to O'Neal's when she took the position as Dean of Women. In the past, she has worked in Harding's Public Relations Department. During the 1973-4 school year, she served as an Editorial Associate, then she returned to the department in 1987 as Assistant Director of Public Relations. In her new role as Dean of Women, Gowen worked "to assist students with their overall college experience, by upholding the philosophy and standards of the university." Gowen said the best pat of her new role has been the close association with the kids. She spent the year trying to get to know students individually, letting them know she cared for them, and helping them understand the reasons for Harding's rules and regulations. Gowen also found time for serving outside her official duties as dean. She taught a bible class for college women and worked on the Spiritual Life, Public Relations and Counseling Referral Committees for the university. Steve Beliech spent the year dividing his time between two positions, Assistant Dean of Men and Director of Student Activities. He worked under Foy O'Neal to oversee the male residence halls and also supervised Student Impact and Summer Experience. As director of Student Activities, Beliech helped to fill the void left when Dean of Campus Life Jerome Barnes was promoted to Vice President. He was the "entertainment liason between the school and the community as to support both our events and community events. " Beliech attempted "to reach out to areas of White County to inform them of our events schedule." Between work for both positions, he STUDENT DEANS found time to serve as freshman class sponsor. "By eating with students, visiting on campus at night, visiting in the Student Center," Beliech strove to "create the knowledge that I am an administrator but mostly a friend." He worked "to build a bond of love, trust and friendship that would transcend his administrative position to reestablish and confirm his Christian purpose." As the new deans settled into their new positions and new offices, changes naturally took place. We saw from the Student Affairs office a renewed, reinforced commitment to the values of the university as they guided students to pursue excellence academically, socially and spiritually. - Melydia Clewell Deans Of Students 267
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