A West Virginia University official who devoted most of his professional life to working with students and their families is retiring this month after 36 years at his alma mater.

Herman Moses, associate vice president and dean of student affairs, will be honored at an afternoon reception from 3:30-5:30 p.m. Thursday, June 19, in Elizabeth Moore Hallhis home away from home for much of his University tenure. Students, alumni, colleagues and friends are invited.

What can you say about a man who has given his heart and soul to WVU for 36 years?wondered Student Life associate Melanie Cook.How do you thank him for all of his time, energy, guidance and compassion?

Some might reply:Just take the rest of the day off, Herma quip he was famous for as he bade you a sly smile and a quick adieu following a mid-morning meeting or an afternoon work session.

But an afternoon off wouldnt even come close to paying proper respect to a gentleman who devoted his career to improving residence hall life, recreational programming, health and counseling services, admissions and recruiting functions, service learning opportunities, student programming and student facilities at WVU , colleagues agree.

As interim vice president for student affairs, and later as dean of students, Herman Moses helped to develop and implement many of the University’s `student-enteredprograms that are today nationally recognized for their innovation and effectiveness,said WVU President David C. Hardesty, who first worked with Moses when he was student body president in 1967.

These important recent contributions,Hardesty said,his even-tempered approach to solving student problems and his absolute dedication to the University’s mission over his long career have earned him the respect and friendship of thousands of students and colleagues at WVU and beyond.

Others concur.

Colleague Becky Lofstead, who directs the Universitys News Service, worked with Moses to communicate many important student life initiatives over the years, but said it was his manner in a crisis that she most admired.

He is so genuine, understanding and compassionate,Lofstead said.When faced with a student death, he had the right words for the parents, the family members and the studentsfriends. If he was disciplining a student, he was firm, but fair. Running a meeting, he was upbeat and funnyyet effective. He got things done because he is a people person and truly knows how to show his appreciation for the daily contributions people make. We are all better people for working with and knowing Herman.

Colleague Cathy Yura of the Counseling Center noted how effortlessly Moses put people at ease. Mary Riffon, Mosesassistant, said he madegoing to work fun.Another colleague, David Master, said he will remember him as”the heart of the University.”

Work can be difficult at times,Master said.Herman always made it better.

Between receiving his undergraduate degree in parks and recreation from WVU in 1965 and a masters degree in counseling in 1969, his WVU career took off. He signed on as coordinator of residence hall programs in 1966 and was soon named associate director of residence hallsa position he held for 13 years. In July 1981, he became associate dean for student life, responsible for new student orientation, judicial programs, staff development and training and working with city officials. During this time, he also implemented the WVU Code of Student Rights and Responsibilities and served as thefront lineadministrator in a crisis.

He was always one of the first WVU staff members to respond to a student crisis, while always lending a helping hand to students in need, no matter the issue,Cook noted.

In 1987, Moses was promoted againthis time to dean of students, supervising a variety of student life programsand in 1995, his position was elevated to dean of student affairs and interim vice president, overseeing 11 student-focused units (Admissions and Records, Career Services, Carruth Center for Counseling and Psychological Services, Center for Black Culture and Research, Financial Aid, Health Services, Housing and Residence Life, Mountainlair, New Student Orientation, Student Activities and Student Life).

Upon the arrival of Vice President Ken Gray, Moses continued his outstanding service to the University as dean of student affairs and associate vice president.

Chief among the initiatives he helped implement include WVU s nationally acclaimed Operation Jump-Start, a unique collection of programs that help students navigate and succeed in their first year; WVUp All Night, late night weekend programming that gives students on-campus alternatives to the bar scene; FallFest, a welcome-back outdoor concert and related programming that occurs on the first night of fall classes; and a Festival of Ideas lecture series that brings thought-provoking, timely speakers to campus.

He has been engaged in University and community activities ranging from serving as chairperson for the selection of the WVU Foundation Order of Augusta recipients and Outstanding Seniors to serving on the Student Recreation Center Planning Committee, Service Learning Advisory Board, Mainstreet Morgantown, Student Affairs Hall of Fame selection committee and Monongalians Against Sexual Assault, among others.

Honors are many including being recognized as an honorary member of the Golden Key International Honour Society; receiving the Distinguished Service Award from the West Virginia Association of Student Personnel Administrators, the Fannie Lou Hamer Award from the Center for Black Culture and Research; the Richard Feller Outstanding Alumnus Award from Student Administration; and membership in the WVU Physical Education Hall of Fame. He is also a member of Mountain, WVU s ranking student leader honorary.

Asked about some of thebest timesduring his lifetime of service to WVU , Moses cites working with residence life professionals and literally hundreds of student assistants associated with orientation.

Many of these young adults have grown to highly successful members and future leaders of our society,he said.

Interacting with parents of WVU students was also important to Moses.

I especially enjoy meeting and talking with the parents and families of our students,he said.Its important for them to know their children are in a safe and caring placeand in a good educational environment. Not all large universities have WVU s personal touch.

Hes witnessed lots of campus changes over the years, most noticeably the new high-tech library and life sciences building that are aiding the learning/discovery process, and the changing demographics of the student body from mostly state residents to a population that spans the globe.

He believes the mid-60s student demonstrations changed the face of the campus and higher education, often resulting in significant policy changes, enrollment surges and increased student rights.

And female students went from having curfews and limited residence hall visitation to living in high-rise coed residence halls with hand geometry readers (keyless entries) to gain access, he added.

Seeing the Mountainlair student union project through in the late 1960s and the Student Recreation Center materialize in 2001 were also memorable highlights for Moses.

Moses was particularly pleased in 1995 when President Hardesty re-structured the Universitys mission to be morestudent-centered.

I am very supportive of the `student-centeredphilosophy that President Hardesty underscored with the implementation of Operation Jump-Start and creation of a Student Affairs Task Force that set the foundation for the future of student affairs on the WVU campus,Moses said.It has been fun and enjoyable to be a part of it and to watch as our programs and facilities have grown and progressed.

He giveshigh marksto such initiatives as the Mountaineer Parents Club, some 11,000 family members strong; WVU s Parent Advocate, who responds quickly to parent requests and questions; and numerous academic success programs.

He also credits the creation of an enrollment management unit and the appointment of an assistant vice president for much of the recruiting and enrollment achievements the University has experienced in recent years.

But it is some of the people who came before him that he credits mostformer dean of women, the late Betty Boyd; former assistant vice president for student affairs, MarionRustyDearnley; retired student affairs colleagues Gordon Thorn and Bob McWhorter; and special counselor to students, Joe Gluck.

All hadremarkable qualitiesthat he tried to emulate, Moses said.

Now, as he begins a new journey, he is grateful to Gray for providingstrong leadership and commitmentto the Universitys rejuvenated student-centered philosophy.

Moses plans to spend more time with his wife, Kathryn, three grown daughtersAmy, Val and Ellenand their families, as well as some recreational time on the tennis court with pal and retired WVU dean Phil Faini.