In the past 16 years, Dean of Students Robert Ruday has proved to be an exceptional leader and liaison between the University of Tampa administration and students, faculty and staff.
Ruday’s charismatic personality and good moral ethics has earned the trust of many.
It’s with great sorrow that The Minaret says goodbye to Ruday.
He is leaving behind a legacy that will take an enormous amount of energy and devotion to be surmounted.
During my first semester at UT, I met Ruday in the Vaughn Center Cafeteria.
It wasn’t a formal meeting, but a chance encounter while getting dessert.
I did not know who he was at first.
After being told that he was the dean of students, I was shocked—not because of his position, but because, despite having a high-ranking administrative position, he was interacting with the students in a social setting.
Having worked with Ruday more closely this year, he has demonstrated his trustworthiness and willingness to listen first before making any sort of assumption or judgment.
Even under extreme circumstances, Ruday has kept his cool and acted in a compassionate manner to find a solution.
Speaking as UT senior, out of all the candidates seeking the dean of students’ position, I personally believe Stephanie Russell Holz is the best choice for the school.
Holz, associate dean of students and director of the Office of Student Leadership and Engagement, has worked with UT students, faculty and staff on projects pertaining to the development and implementation of new programs.
Most notably, Holz played a crucial part in the development and implementation of a sustainability program at UT, something that did not exist until a few years ago.
My current belief on the dean of students position is that it should be exclusive to UT faculty and staff.
It is a higher-ranking role that requires the continued trust and communication set in place by both Ruday and Holz.
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