After nineteen years of service, Donald J. Omahan steps down as dean of students

Dean of Students Donald J. Omahan, a Kenyon graduate who returned to his alma mater to pursue a nineteen-year career in student affairs, has announced that he will step down from his position effective June 30, 2006. On January 1, he began a six-month leave, during which he is remaining in Gambier with his wife, Nancy, and their two children to pursue further study in the fields of student affairs, student development, and higher education administration.

A 1970 graduate of Kenyon, Omahan has held his current position since 1996. He came to Kenyon from Albion College, where he served as vice president and dean for student affairs. Omahan began his administrative career at Kenyon as director of student housing from 1972 through 1975. He served as Kenyon's dean for academic advising from 1983 through 1988 and as acting dean of students during the 1988-89 academic year, before accepting the deanship at Albion.

"Each time I have been at Kenyon has been a rewarding and energizing experience, owing in no small part to the very fine people across the College and the community that I have worked with and come to value as friends and colleagues," says Omahan. "Most of all, I have loved and valued my work with Kenyon students."

"Don's admirable record of service and devotion to Kenyon have enriched our community greatly during his nineteen-year tenure at the College," commented President S. Georgia Nugent. "His steady hand at the helm of the student affairs division and his personal warmth and concern for Kenyon students will be missed by all of us. We wish Don and Nancy the very best as they chart their future endeavors."

Omahan earned a master's degree in counseling and student personnel from Fairfield University and a doctorate in higher education from Ohio State University, where his dissertation compared cognitive intellectual and psychosocial development of students at a small private college and a large public university.

Senior Advisor to the President Howard Sacks is serving as chair of the search committee for Omahan's replacement. For the interim period, Associate Dean of Students Cheryl Steele is serving as acting dean of students.

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