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Richard Mandeville appointed Whitworth's new vice president for student life

January 19, 2012
Mandeville currently serves as university's associate dean of students

Whitworth University President Beck A. Taylor announced Tuesday the appointment of Whitworth's associate dean of students Richard Mandeville to vice president for student life and dean of students. Mandeville will bring 22 years of experience supporting and engaging Whitworth students to his new role, effective July 1.

"I am honored to be selected to serve Whitworth in this new capacity," Mandeville says. "And I am excited for the opportunity to work with the talented student life staff at Whitworth and with our faculty colleagues in providing an excellent student experience, one that integrates faith and learning and that emphasizes personal responsibility, service and leadership."

President Taylor says, "Dick's more than two decades of service at Whitworth bring important continuity to this very important role. He also has a keen sense of the opportunities that exist in student life as the university strives for its goals in the Whitworth 2021 strategic plan. And he embodies Whitworth's distinctive mind-and-heart mission as well as anyone at the university, particularly its student-centered emphasis."

Mandeville succeeds Kathy Storm, who became vice president for student life in 1992 after teaching in Whitworth's psychology department. During her 20-year tenure, Storm has overseen the launch of Whitworth's service-learning program, the opening of its Intercultural Center, the expansion of its campus ministry program, and the implementation of a program aimed at addressing issues related to retention. Storm will be transitioning to the university's academic affairs division this July when she becomes the new associate provost for faculty development and scholarship.

"It has been my honor and joy to work with Dick during my years in student life," Storm says. "He is a wise, gracious and thoughtful colleague, a person of deep faith and steady conviction, and a professional who is wholeheartedly devoted to the growth and well-being of students. His skill and compassion, his winsome sense of humor and most of all his deep commitment to Whitworth's mission make him a wonderful person to lead the student life program."

During his time at Whitworth, Mandeville has overseen significantly improved retention in the residence halls, indicating an increased level of student satisfaction with living on campus. He also created Whitworth's innovative campus theme house program, which was highlighted in The New York Times, co-chaired committees responsible for the design of four new residence halls, and initiated the university's annual sexual-assault-prevention program and alcohol awareness program.

Mandeville earned his Ph.D. in college student personnel administration, as well as his M.A. and B.A., from the University of Northern Colorado. Prior to coming to Whitworth, he served as director of student life for a semester at sea program run by the University of Pittsburgh, and as associate dean of students and director of student services for Western Montana College.

Located in Spokane, Wash., Whitworth is a private liberal arts university affiliated with the Presbyterian Church (USA). The university, which has an enrollment of nearly 3,000 students, offers 60 undergraduate and graduate degree programs.

Contacts:

Rhosetta Rhodes, chief of staff, President's Office, Whitworth University, (509) 777-4238 or rrhodes@whitworth.edu.

Emily Proffitt, Public Information Officer, Whitworth University, (509) 777-4703 or eproffitt@whitworth.edu.