Purdue News
Purdue News
June 25, 1996
L. Tony Hawkins has been interim dean of students since the retirement of Betty M. Nelson a year ago. Hawkins was selected from nearly 100 candidates for the position, said David B. Henson, vice president for student services.
"In the nearly one year I've been at Purdue, Tony has demonstrated considerable knowledge of matters across the campus," Henson said. "I've enjoyed the working relationship we've had so far, and I feel he will prove himself as another in a long line of effective deans of students here at Purdue.
"I also was impressed by the enthusiastic response Tony received from people he met throughout the interview process. His evaluations reinforced my own very positive assessment of him."
Purdue University President Steven C. Beering approved the appointment on the recommendation of Henson and Robert L. Ringel, executive vice president for academic affairs.
Hawkins said his experience within the Office of the Dean of Students was one of his most important qualifications. "I've done so many of the jobs within the office," he said. "It helps me understand staff and student concerns. My background also helps me relate to alumni when they return to campus."
Hawkins said he will discuss his plans for the Office of the Dean of Students with staff members during the next few months. "I'm looking forward to my new job," he said. "I will have a tremendous, supportive staff that I know will make my job easier."
The dean of students oversees a variety of support services for the 34,685 students enrolled at the West Lafayette campus. Staff members oversee more than 500 student organizations, provide academic, career and personal counseling, and handle student discipline matters.
Hawkins began working at Purdue in 1973 as a graduate assistant in the Office of Admissions. He also worked in the Division of Financial Aid for a year before becoming a counselor in the Office of the Dean of Students in 1975. He was named assistant dean in 1977 and associate dean in 1980. Before coming to Purdue, Hawkins worked in student services at Catawba Valley Community College and Appalachian State University, both in North Carolina.
As associate dean, Hawkins supervised Adaptive Programs, an area that helps identify and coordinate accommodations for students with physical and learning disabilities. He also coordinated the Office of the Dean of Students staff scheduling for campuswide student recruitment and retention programs such as Preview Days and Day on Campus. He led a committee on alcohol regulations, and its recommendations were approved by the Purdue Board of Trustees and incorporated into the university regulations.
A native of Roxboro, N.C. , Hawkins earned a bachelor's degree in English education from Mars Hill College in 1967. He earned a master's degree in guidance and counseling from Appalachian State University in 1970 and a doctorate in counseling and student personnel administration from Purdue in 1980.
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Sources: David B. Henson, (765) 494-5778; Internet, dbhenson@vpss.purdue.edu
L. Tony Hawkins, (765) 494-1239; Internet, lthawk@delta.reg.purdue.edu
Writer: J. Michael Willis, (765) 494-0371; Internet, mike_willis@purdue.edu
