The following remarks were made by Don Omahan '70, former dean of students, at the memorial service held June 27, 2016 for Dean Tom Edwards.
President Decatur, Gloria and Family Members, Colleagues, and Friends of Tom Edwards:
It is an honor to have been asked to share some thoughts and remembrances with you about my good colleague and friend, Tom Edwards. I am especially privileged to be speaking to you in this venerable old building, Rosse Hall — a place which no doubt still echoes with Tom’s voice as he addressed students new to the College, or when he annually led members of the first-year class in the ceremonial reciting of the Matriculation Oath, or when he often spoke at or even organized remarkable college and community meetings on important issues of the day. And how Tom enjoyed his role every spring in the Honors Day Convocation in which he was charged with announcing the College prizes, including the Propper Prize for Poetry (Tom always liked that one!) and the very highly anticipated E. Malcolm Anderson Cup.
In the fifty years that I knew Tom Edwards, he was so many things to me: dean of students, Keeper of the Cane from the Cane Rush, student work study supervisor, graduate school and career advisor, roll model and source of inspiration, colleague, mentor, confidant and — most importantly — a valued friend. To his family, Tom was a wonderful and supportive husband, father and grandfather. And all of this doesn’t even to begin to tell the story of his many contributions as a professional, as a coach or as an active member of the communities in which he worked and lived.
I first saw Tom Edwards during a visit to Kenyon as a prospective student in the spring of 1966. It was a high school student visitation program, not unlike those that are held at Kenyon today. Prospective students had the opportunity to spend a night sleeping on the floor in a freshman residence hall (it was Lewis for me), meet Kenyon students, attend classes and hear from various College officials about life on what I quickly learned was "The Hill." It was at one of these events that I first heard Tom Edwards speak. I remember two things from that initial encounter. First of all, he was someone important. Why else would he be speaking to us? Secondly, I liked what he said about Kenyon students and the degree to which they were expected to be actively involved and engaged with and throughout the College. He used words such as community, personal freedom, individual responsibility, accountability. He spoke of respect for self and the respect of others, including the celebration of individual differences. Little did I realize that this was the introductory chapter to what would be a life-long encounter with the Thomas J. Edwards book on “The Philosophy and Practice of Student Life on the American College Campus.”
Well, I did enroll at Kenyon and had numerous opportunities to see and speak with Dean Edwards during my first year. Most memorable were the dean's “Smokers” where Dean Edwards would appear in a residence hall or division lounge, sit, and engage in wide-ranging conversations with students. He always had interesting information about the College to share with us. Most importantly, you really got the feeling that he was listening as he sat there, thoughtfully tapping his pipe throughout the evening, and seemingly fixed on every word (What exactly IS IT that YOU dislike about the food service?). The conversations with Dean Edwards typically lasted for several hours. I remember thinking, this guy really cares. This is what Kenyon is all about.
Toward the end of my freshman year, I found my way into Dean Edwards' Ascension Hall office and boldly, but politely, offered that I would be willing to come back early in the fall to assist with freshman orientation. To my surprise, he said that there was a lot of work to be done and that he would welcome any help I could give. Little did I realize that he was not just talking about freshman orientation; I had just signed up for a lifetime of work that I don’t think I ever did quite finish.
For the next three years, I arrived back on campus in early August to assist with planning for freshman orientation. So many aspects of the Orientation Program that are still in place today were instituted or cultivated by Tom: The Opening Convocation, the freshman sing, the student ID card, the faculty advising program — the list goes on. And who could forget the convening dinner with Dean Edwards’ challenging comments about life on this “magic mountain" — not the least of which was his annual rendition and explanation on how to properly communicate with the Dean. More on that later in today’s program.
Over the course of the next thirty years, after graduating from Kenyon, I had the wonderful fortune of returning to the College in three different capacities. In the 1970s I worked with Tom as the director of student housing, a position that he created in my senior year at Kenyon and that was first occupied by Jim Lombard. Jim was the first professional assistant Tom had. Up to this point, Tom had "done it all," and I might add did it well.
Most importantly, during this time period, Tom worked diligently with others, including Dean Doris Crozier and, in due course, Deans Susan Givens, Kathryn Adkins and Cheryl Steele to move Kenyon from an all-male campus to what eventually became the coeducational college that it is today.
In the 1980s, I again returned to Kenyon as dean for academic advising. This office, and position, had been created by Tom and was unique in that it was housed in student affairs. It was a stroke of genius at the time, for Tom realized the need to say in a very demonstrative way that Kenyon was indeed concerned about student life across the campus. That is, he wanted to strengthen an already strong student life program that said to all interested parties that what happens in the formal classroom setting has an effect on what happens outside of the classroom. And, conversely, what happens outside of the classroom — whether it be in the residence halls, in various campus clubs and organizations, in athletic endeavors, in volunteer activities — what happens outside of the classroom has an effect on what happens in the classroom.
Tom really understood and articulated a philosophy which celebrated the total development of the student: academically, socially, physically, emotionally, spiritually, interpersonally. He never wavered from that philosophy and expected those of us who worked with him to continually embrace and implement a model of challenge and support that would encourage and enhance the full growth and development of students and their sense of individual and corporate responsibility.
In 1996, I was invited to return to Kenyon as its chief student affairs officer, following Craig Bradley, who had become dean of students upon Tom's retirement in 1990. For Nancy and me, it was a dream come true. Returning to Kenyon, coming back to Gambier to raise our two young children in this magical place, living in Neff House (the dean's house, where for 26 years Tom and Gloria had lived and raised their three children; the place where I had enjoyed so many conversations, meals and an occasional beverage with Tom). But most significantly, I was now inheriting the baton of leadership that had been created and nurtured by Tom Edwards for so many years. It was a humbling experience. Not only was taking on this role a significant responsibility; it was a special honor for me to become the dean of students at Kenyon — a position in my mind that was and would always be associated with Dean Edwards and the many, many contributions he made to Kenyon.
Tom was the quintessential dean of students. Indeed, his colleagues from around the country did say that he was the "Dean of Deans." They recognized and honored him for who he was as a person and professional, and for the student life programs he created and implemented. No matter the topic, however simple or complex, Tom's wisdom, advice, and guidance were sought and valued by those professionals who, like Tom, had dedicated their lives to educating and working with students.
The 1985 letter to Tom regarding his selection as the recipient of the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators prestigious Scott Goodnight Award, stated: "This is the association's 'Dean of Deans' Award and signifies significant contributions to students, your institution and the profession. Both you, and your institution, should take much pride in this singular accomplishment. It is recognition by your professional colleagues that you epitomize the best of what we are."
Colleagues — administrators and faculty members — from Kenyon and from across the country wrote letters of support for Tom's nomination for the Goodnight Award. Daniel Finkbeiner, professor emeritus of mathematics at Kenyon and, I might add, my faculty advisor, wrote about Tom's early years in the dean's role. He stated: "As funds became available, new personnel were appointed for the inadequately supported needs of students. Today there is a dean for academic advising, a dean of housing, one assistant dean, a director of off-campus studies, a director of career development, and a vastly improved health center with a full-time resident physician... [and] professional counselors. All of these programs were developed gradually under Tom’s patient nurturing."
Professor Finkbeiner continued: "He also initiated programs that use undergraduates as resident advisers in dormitories and as upperclass counselors to assist faculty members in advising new students. In short, he has transformed the briar patch... handed him in 1957 into a healthy and well-kept grove of trees."
George H. Langeler, the highly respected, long-serving dean of students at Oberlin wrote: "Tom is the senior dean in the State of Ohio and a person to whom I have often turned for advice in my long tenure as a dean at Oberlin. I find it remarkable that Tom's 27 years as a dean have not worn him down. He has a remarkable capacity to stay very much alive in his position and to bring the wisdom of the past into the present."
Langer concluded: "At professional meetings I attended with Tom, it is often he who brings up the new issues and suggests a careful look at issues that confound us all. I have often looked at things he has produced for Kenyon and also visited his office and his staff. I’m impressed with the organization he has put together, the care with which things are administered and the fresh ideas he has brought to his campus. In addition, Tom is also a very sensitive and compassionate dean."
If I may now share a personal note with you: Tom and Gloria have meant more to our family than I could ever convey. They have always been wonderful friends to us all and role models to our sons, Chris and Matt. Tom and Gloria have served as another set of perfect grandparents over the course of the past 20+ years. Tom, as well as Gloria, were always deeply interested in what the guys were up to, how they were doing and their plans for the future. True to form, Tom was always prepared to offer sage and welcomed advice. I should note that Chris, our first born, has the given name Christopher Thomas. We and both boys have always been proud to let others know that the "Thomas" is in honor of Tom Edwards.
Whenever Chris and Matt would come back to Mount Vernon during their school or work breaks, they would always want to visit with Tom and Gloria. This was the case over the Thanksgiving vacation last November. We were listening to Gloria updating us on the many wonderful recent accomplishments of their grown children (Tom, Ann and Nancy) and granddaughter (Laura). At some point, Tom’s eyes had closed and we all thought he had fallen into a gentle sleep. When Gloria had finished her good account, Tom's eyes suddenly opened and displayed that wonderful, in-the-moment twinkle, I had seen so many times in the past. He uttered a single phrase: "It’s heredity."
And it was always special to have Tom and Gloria at our home for various student affairs functions and, on occasion, for our family Thanksgiving or Christmas dinners. Their presence was always welcomed and appreciated as they always had a captivated audience around them as they told wonderful stories about their lives and the Kenyon they knew and loved.
Allow me to close my remarks with a portion of a heart-felt letter that Tom wrote to NASPA in response to a request for some biographical information related to his nomination for the Scott Goodnight Award. Tom wrote: "I suppose the... data stands as evidence of my single-minded concentration on Kenyon during the past thirty years. For better or worse, this small college has been my life; or more correctly perhaps, it has been a Shangri-La of my choice...
"My appointment as dean of students in 1957 was a rather strange occurrence, one that would not likely take place these days. I had absolutely no prior experience in dean's work, nor in college administration. And Kenyon, prior to my appointment, never had had a dean of students position. Neophytes found one another. As I think back on those beginning days and years, I’m amazed that the College and I both survived. The 'teeth cutting' was fun, but more so when viewed in retrospect."
Tom continued: "I have never regretted accepting the dean's position at Kenyon. Deaning, for me, has been, and is, an exciting and gratifying experience... Instead of that one inexperienced dean we now have a staff of... committed and competent professionals who offer a variety of student services that never could have been imagined back in the fifties... My Kenyon years have given me good memories and warm feelings, but also a deep appreciation of the support and inspiration that I received from others."
He concluded: "There is still much to be done."
Tom Edwards was a great dean and an even greater person. I miss him dearly. Tom, you are right, there is a lot of work yet to do. But do it we shall, knowing that the path you have paved will forever provide the model and guide for our efforts.
Goodbye and thank you, Tom, my dear mentor and friend.