DIMENSIONS TODAY
Vol. 2 ELON college, SEPTEMBER 10, 1974 No. 1
TO ELON, FROM KALAMAZOO MICHIGAN
William G. Long, former dean of student services and as
sociate professor of political science at Kalamazoo College,
is the Dean of Student Affairs at Elon College and succeeds
W. Jennings Berry who had announced his intentions in Feb
ruary to resign that position in favor of heading the College’s
Counseling Center.
“While my work at Kalamazoo has been rewarding, my
family and I welcome the opportunity to return to North Caro
lina,” said Dean Long in accepting the position. “I learned
much about quality private education at Kalamazoo and the
move to another quality institution like Elon College is an
attractive challenge. I look forward to working with the stu
dents and with my fellow staff members.”
As the new dean of student affairs. Long will be responsi
ble for the administration of the student personnel staff; cer
tain aspects of student life support systems; cocurricular, ex
tracurricular and student center programs; and student ju
dicial processes. He will also be an associate professor of
political science.
Dean Long is a graduate of West Virginia University where
he received both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in poli
tical science. He also holds a Master of Divinity Degree with
a major in religion and higher education from Yale University
where he served as an instructor in political science at New
Haven College in Yale University.
Elon’s new dean was associate secretary of the North
Carolina State University YMCA at N. C. State for two years
before he was named assistant dean of student affairs at the
University of North Carolina-Chaoel Hill in 1959. In 1963 he
was named dean of men at Carolina, a position he held until
going to Kalamazoo in 1967 as dean of student services.
In addition to his work load at Kalamazoo, he was active
in professional groups on the state and national level and in
local civic affairs. He was a trustee of the First Baotist Church,
a member of Kiwanis. the Parent-Teachers’ Association, the
Bach Festival Choir and the Faculty Readers Theater and
served as oresident of both the Kalamazoo and the South
western Michiaan Phi Beta Kaooa.
He is also a Korean War veteran havinq served as a first
lieutenant in the Signal Corps of the U. S. Army. He is married
and the father of four children.
“Jenninas Berry has done an outstandina iob as dean of
students during the past six years. This was a period when
many colleges and universities across the nation were faced
with demonstrations, sit-ins and riots. Dean Berry’s abilitv,
along with that of other administrative leaders, to communi
cate with the students durina these tryinq times helped avert
any serious trouble at Elon,” Dr. Moncure stated.
“Since Dean Berry announced his intentions to resiqn as
dean, we have spent a qreat deal of time searchinq for a per
son who can continue the fine work that Dean Berry has been
doing in the area of student oersonnel. In Dean Lonq, we feel
that we have found an individual who has had broad ex
perience in all phases of student personnel work both on the
larqe public university campus as well as on the small private
college campus. His philosophy is one that closely parallels
that of Elon College, and I am sure that he will have a lot to
contribute as a member of our administrative staff,” added
Dr. Moncure.
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Tonight
2:00 p.m.—First Meeting of Students to Organize A Com
muters Club in the large lounge of the student union.
7:00 p.m.—General Meeting for all Freshmen in Whitley Audi
torium.
9:45 p,m.—Movies in Whitley Auditorium sponsored by the
S.G.A.
Wednesday the 11th
8:15 a.m.—Morning Devotions by Reverend Caddell in the
Prayer Room, Alamance 214,
7:00 p.m.—General Meeting for all freshmen, in Whitley.
8:30 p.m.—Outdoor Rock Concert, behind Mooney, S.G.A.
sponsored.
Thursday the 12th
6:00 p.m.—Phi Psi Cli, yearbook staff meeting in large lounge
of the student center.
8:00 p.m.—Classical Guitarist from Colombia, South America
in the large lounge, followed by refreshments.
(Continued on Back Page)
Dean William G. Long, newly instated Dean of Student Affairs
DEAN BENTON RESIGNS
Dean P. W. Benton, Assistant Dean of Students resigned
in July, 1974. The reasons for his abrupt actions are not
known, however, they may be speculated upon.
During his career at Elon College, Dean Benton held vari
ous offices. He was a Professor of History, the Director of
Alumni Relations, the Dean of Student Affairs, and the As
sistant Dean of Students.
To the student body, how
ever, Dean Benton held a
much more important title
than that which was attached
to his name. Students at Elon
College considered him to be
the administrator to whom
they could approach with any
problem at any hour and be
assured of help, strict confi
dence and more importantly,
trust.
Every student who was fa
miliar with the Student Union
was also familiar with Dean
Benton’s office. His office
hours were from 8:00 a.m, to
5:00 p. m. Between these
hours, his office was the con
stant scene of wall to wall stu
dents and professors intelli
gently discussing their per
sonal views on every subject
ranging from world problems
at hand to the Shreveport foot
ball game. At times, students
would watch with amazement
as the Dean would leave his
office to hold a conference
elsewhere so as to not halt
t h e thought-provoking de
bates between students and
professors.
The student body considers
his resignation to be a great
loss to the Institution of Elon
College as well as a personal
loss to each tudent. Upon
Dean P. W. Benton, former
Assistant Dean of Students
learning of his resignation one
student exclaimed, “He vyas
always working hard to bring
the students and the admin
istration closer . . . while
another student said, “You
know, everybody is expenda
ble ... . but there are a wise
few who are not replaceable
. . like Dean Benton”.
The staff of Dimensions To
day, on behalf of the student
body, would like to wish Dean
Benton the best of luck in your
future endeavors wherever
they may take you.
Jennifer M. Somers