6/12/98
Editors, news directors: A photo of Joel Rudy is available at:
http://www.ohiou.edu/news/pix/rudy.jpg
ATHENS, Ohio -- Dean of Students and Vice President for Student Affairs Joel Rudy on Friday announced he plans to retire from Ohio University, effective June 30. Rudy has accepted a position as executive director of the Phi Kappa Tau fraternity headquartered in Oxford, Ohio.
"This has been a most difficult decision after so many years with Ohio University," Rudy said. "I have come to love and respect every student with whom I have worked and feel very fortunate to have had such an incredibly positive experience for so many years," Rudy said. "Ohio University is a very special place, made up of very special people and my wife Marlene and I look forward to continuing our friendships and associations in Athens for years to come. As commencement weekend is upon us, it is interesting for me to note that more than 85,000 students have graduated since my arrival in 1976. As an honorary alumnus, I feel privileged to be counted amongst these graduates."
Rudy, 57, came to Ohio University in 1976 as director of Residence Life. He was named associate dean of students in 1978 and dean in 1982. He was promoted to vice president in 1995.
"Joel has been part of the remarkable growth in quality and stature of Ohio University over the 22 years that he has been here, and no small part of that institutional success has been due to his extremely conscientious and caring attitude," said Ohio University President Robert Glidden. "I have never observed a better, more effective student affairs operation than we have here at Ohio University, and that is largely attributable to Joel. He has assembled a top-quality staff but even more important, he has set a tone of caring and attention to students' needs that permeates the university."
Rudy has overseen development of many programs, including the creation of the Leadership Program, Center for Community Service, Department of Health Education and Wellness, Department of Multicultural Programs, Office of Intercultural Affairs and the founding of the Student Security Aide Program and the Student Escort Service.
Rudy served as chairman of the Administrative Senate, administrative division chair of the 1804 campaign and was elected an outstanding administrator in 1981. He served on the Athens City Board of Education and more recently as vice president of the Athens County chapter of the American Red Cross.
Prior to working at Ohio University, Rudy was director of student activities and assistant dean of students at Hunter College in New York City from 1964 to 1967. From 1967 to 1971 he worked in the Division of Student Affairs at the University of Miami in Florida. He served as dean for student residence life at Kent State from 1971 to 1975 and assistant vice president for educational and student services from 1975 to 1976. A 1962 graduate of Bethany College in Bethany, W.Va., Rudy completed a master's degree in sociology at Kent in 1964. He is a graduate of the Harvard Business School's Institute of Educational Management.
