North steps down as ResLife director
By GRACE ARREDONDO
News Writer
After faithfully completing six years at Saint Mary's, Dana North, the director of Residence Life will be leaving the Saint Mary's community at the end of the year to accept the position of assistant dean of students at Wittenberg University in Springfield, Ohio.
"The reason that I decided to take the job is because it is closer to my home and family," North said. "A lot of factors went in to the decision. Six years in the residence life field is a long time to stay in one position. I am not mad at anyone nor have I had a bad experience with anyone; it was simply time for a change."
North finished her degree training at the University of Ohio. North then took a job at Drake University in Iowa but found she wanted to be closer to Ohio, her family and her home.
Soon afterward North accepted a job at Saint Mary's moving her within three hours of home.
North first came to Saint Mary's to fill the position as a hall director for two years. She found herself looking for something more, so she applied for assistant director of Residence Life. She accepted the job and held it until her promotion to the director of Residence Life a few short years later.
During this time, North successfully managed to change the programming model from the wellness model to the present-day model found in the residence halls at Saint Mary's.
"I changed our programming model; it now reflects our mission statement, [a life of intellectual vigor, aesthetic appreciation, religious sensibility and social responsibility] so that the resident advisor's do all of the programs in the section."
Assistant Director of Residence Life Jerry Madsen is happy for North.
"She is going on to greener pastures, so my blessings go to her," said Madsen. "Dana is a great administrator, and she has left us in great shape, but of course when there is leadership change [in any department] there is going to be some adjustment."
All News Stories for Wednesday, April 10, 2002
