2008 Woodie Awards
Letter to the Editor
Silently into the Night?
Issue date: 2/1/08 Section: Opinions & Editorials
Having left our fine institution years ago, I still find myself reading The Lawrentian for some odd and unexplainable reason. I found an article last week titled "Dean Marti Hemwall leaves Lawrence after 22 years," and after reading it, I had a few questions (please tell me you did too).
In particular, I'd like to know why someone goes so quietly. Why did Dean Marti Hemwall not comment on her departure? All I am looking for is one short comment like, "Thanks for everything but I need to seek opportunities that will challenge my abilities in a new capacity more aligned with my beliefs," or some equally vogue phrase being used in the corporate world.
Massive amounts of change have blanketed every corner of campus life of recent, both good and bad.
A new building is going up and that is monumental for our small campus. But one change that I find alarming is the condensing of administrative duties and powers to a smaller group of individuals (no doubt a loss of our beloved diversity).
Who now holds onto the duties that Dean Marti Hemwall once held? Is she going to be replaced? How many others have recently "quit" and how many have replaced them? The answer just might surprise you. Just like a lack of diversity has its downsides within a student body, a loss of diversity has negative connotations at the administrative level as well.
Within the administrative bureaucracy at Lawrence, this loss represents a loss in checks and balances and new ideas. Both are sad realizations. I would like to think ideas are shot down, enhanced or replaced by equals at my beloved LU. How does this happen with a restricted, diluted staff? Maybe it's a lack of funds, maybe it's nothing, and maybe it is a malicious power grab. Maybe -- and most likely -- we will never really know. I just hope you all question it as it happens.
Benjamin Dictus, '06
Oxford, OH
In particular, I'd like to know why someone goes so quietly. Why did Dean Marti Hemwall not comment on her departure? All I am looking for is one short comment like, "Thanks for everything but I need to seek opportunities that will challenge my abilities in a new capacity more aligned with my beliefs," or some equally vogue phrase being used in the corporate world.
Massive amounts of change have blanketed every corner of campus life of recent, both good and bad.
A new building is going up and that is monumental for our small campus. But one change that I find alarming is the condensing of administrative duties and powers to a smaller group of individuals (no doubt a loss of our beloved diversity).
Who now holds onto the duties that Dean Marti Hemwall once held? Is she going to be replaced? How many others have recently "quit" and how many have replaced them? The answer just might surprise you. Just like a lack of diversity has its downsides within a student body, a loss of diversity has negative connotations at the administrative level as well.
Within the administrative bureaucracy at Lawrence, this loss represents a loss in checks and balances and new ideas. Both are sad realizations. I would like to think ideas are shot down, enhanced or replaced by equals at my beloved LU. How does this happen with a restricted, diluted staff? Maybe it's a lack of funds, maybe it's nothing, and maybe it is a malicious power grab. Maybe -- and most likely -- we will never really know. I just hope you all question it as it happens.
Benjamin Dictus, '06
Oxford, OH
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