2 I February 6, 2015
The Guilfordian
WWW.GUILFORDIAN.COM/NEWS
VP of Student Affairs & Dean of Students appointed
BY IAN PENNY
Staff Writer
Meet Todd Clark.
Like many students returning from winter break, Clark
woke up on Jan. 26 and began a new semester at Guilford
College. For him, however, it was his first day as vice
president for student affairs and dean of students.
"This type of position has been a professional dream of
mine for a long time,” said Clark.
For the past few years, Clark has been the associate dean
of students at Emory and Henry College, amassing a few
more credentials along the way.
In 2013, he received the James E. Scott Outstanding
Mid-Level Student Affairs Professional Award. Last year,
he earned his doctorate in educational studies from the
University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
His dissertation “The Impact of Urbanicity on Student
Engagement at Small, Residential, Liberal Arts Colleges”
includes data taken from Guilford.
“My job is to enable student success,” said Clark.
“(Guilford) is a fantastic opportunity, in terms of campus
and in terms of culture.”
First-year Ben Levin had dinner with Clark during his
first week on campus. The two talked about family and
Clark’s transition period.
“He’s worked all over the place,” said Levin, citing
Clark’s previous job experience at colleges and universities.
“He’s extremely personable. He knows colleges very, very
well.
“I think he’ll do a great job at Guilford. He’s learning
about the big issues and what makes Guilford tick.”
Others see possibility in Clark’s abilities.
“I see him as a very creative and open minded person, so I
expect him to be thinking outside the box when supporting
student growth,” said Project and CommtrrociStions
Manager for the Center for Principled Problem Solving
Delilah White. , ,
Gauldin wins 2014 Public
Safety Officer of the Year
White met Clark while she earned her communications
degree from Emory and Henry. Later, Clark served on a
committee that oversaw White’s job interview with the
college.
Clark replaces Aaron Fetrow, who now serves as the vice
president of student affairs at Roanoke College. During
the fall semester, Jennifer Agor served as the interim vice
president at Guilford.
Fetrow was a prominent figure on campus, especially
among students. One might find him to be tough act to
follow.
“I think there’s absolutely pressure,” said sophomore
Darion Bayles.
Bayles likened Clark’s arrival to that of President Jane
Fernandes.
“Jane can’t be Kent (Chabotar),” said Bayles. “Todd
can’t be Aaron.”
“It’s a privilege to follow Aaron,” Clark said, addressing
Fetrow’s legacy. “But, I come from a similar cloth.”
At Emory and Henry, Clark was involved with many
aspects of student culture, including an advisory ^sition
with the school’s Greek council. At Guilford, he understands
students have other ways of engaging with the community.
Community involvement, he explained, is what makes
students successful.
“Some of the most current research shows you it doesn’t
matter what you choose as a major or where you come
from,” said Clark. “Proper engagement, full engagement
leads to student connections.”
Student engagement is just one of the puzzles Guilford
looks to face this semester, along with retention and the
ongoing Title IX investigation by the Department of
Education. Amid these looming issues, administrative faces
are changing.
“I think, in a lot of ways, our human values allow us to
become complacent in our day-to-day,” said White. “And, I
think Uuilfbrd-is,nx)fdifferent}”.
In order to stave off the feeling of contentment, the
New Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students
Todd Clark was previously employed at Emory & Henry College.
School is trying new things and innovating itself People
on campus, likewise, are looking to the future.
“He’s a good new voice for the College,” said Levin.
After Clark’s hiring was announced. White received a text
message from Emory and Henry’s Mass Communications
Department Chair Teresa Keller.
“(Keller) said that we were taking one of (their) most
cared for (family members) and for us to take good care of
him here at Guilford,” said White. “My response to her was
he is coming in on a wave of positive transformation, and
we look forward to his dynamic contributions.”
Officer David Gauldin (far left) talks with community members outside the Carnegie Room.
BY REESE SETZER
Sports Editior
Guilford College Public Safety, or
P-Safe, is- a job that may get overlooked
from time to time by some of the students
on our campus.
These are the men and women that,
throughout each day and night, keep
Guilford College a safe environment.
Each year, one of these officers is
chosen as the Public Safety officer of
the year. An officer can be nominated
by anyone from the Guilford community
who offers a reason for why a particular
officer should be honored. After the
nominees are reviewed, someone outside
of the Public Safety department reviews
the nominations and selects a winner.
This year’s officer of the year is David
Gauldin. Gauldin typically works the
night shift from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. on
campus and has been doing so for the
majority of his four and a half years at
the school.
“It is an honor, particularly to be
voted by the Guilford community,” said
Gauldin. "It took me by surprise, and I
did not expect it.”
Before coming to Guilford, Gauldin
served in the Marines for eight years and
was stationed in Japan, Norway, Cuba,
Ireland, Spain and the Philippines.
He has a five-year-old daughter named
Grade and a half-American, half- English
bulldog named Phoenix.
In his free time, he is an avid golfer.
When asked about what he felt he helps
students with the most, Gauldin cited his
help during especially stressful times.
“Being able to keep everyone calm in
different situations, particularly finals,”
said Gauldin. “Keeping stress levels low is
important and is something I have always
tried to do.”
Many people on campus are very
appreciative of what Gauldin does for
the Guilford community, from Head of
Public Safety Ron Stowe to the students
who interact with Gauldin.
“David consistently shows a lot of
interest and concern for the students,”
said Stowe. “He is the type of guy that I
don’t hesitate to hear what he has to say.”
A student from campus sent in a
nomination for Gauldin. Not only has he
stood out to this student as an officer but
as a role model as well.
"I wanted to especially send thanks for
the work that David has done in my life,”
the student said in their nomination. "He
has become more than just a protector
of this campus but has been a vital part
of my support system here at Guilford.
His care for me is something that I didn’t
think should have gone unrecognized.”
S ENATE
UPDATE
MEETINGS ARE ON
MONDAYS @ 7 P.M.
BOREN LOUNGE
(FOUNDERS)
this week^s developments
Community Senate announced the resignation
of David Wheaton as the Inter-Club Council
chair during the full Senate meeting. The
Executive Council appointed junior Samantha
Evans as the interim Inter-Club Council chair
to serve during the spring semester. Senate
also approved the Yoga Club as an official
student club on campus. Students discussed
topics for the Board of Trustees Town Hall to
be held on Wednesday, February 25th from
5:30 to 7:00 pm in the Carnegie Room in
Hege Library. Students also reached general
consensus on the approval of the new Quality
Enhancement Plan proposal.
next weelCs plans
In the following weeks, Senate will be
addressing concerns from international and
commuter students, further discussing the
Board of Trustees Town Hall, and finalizing
mid-year budget reports.
Have an idea?
Concern?
Great recipe? It’s
important to us.
^ Email: ^
■ senate(®guilford.edu ■
or visit guilfordsenate.
wordpress.com
Compiled hy Jose Oliva, Community Senate president