51����

They came to say goodbye to the “blue-collar kid with a Ph.D.”

Administrators and faculty members gathered Wednesday afternoon at the Hall of Presidents in the Student Union to pay tribute to Jack Dovidio, who is leaving 51���� after 27 years of service.

Dovidio spent the past three years as provost and dean of the faculty, the university’s chief academic officer. He is taking a leave after the end of the academic year to pursue new research opportunities in the Department of Psychology at the University of Connecticut.

Rebecca Chopp, president of 51���� the past two years, spoke about how much Dovidio has meant to her and how much she leaned on him as she adjusted to her role.

Jack Dovidio (center) talks with faculty members and administrators at the Hall of Presidents. (Photo by Timothy Sofranko)

“I could not have asked for or wished for anyone better to help me find my way,” said Chopp. 

Professors and staff members spoke about how Dovidio created the “97-minute hour,” and was at the top of the class when it came to multitasking. He got things done, they said, through his intellect, patience, humor, leadership, and ability to find common ground by talking – with real understanding – with anyone and everyone.

“A psychologist, student of human behavior, theorist and pragmatist, Jack is also a very patient man,” said Jane Pinchin, who as interim president enlisted Dovidio to step in as director of the Division of University Studies. “He is a diplomat; the smartest poker player on the block. Always five steps ahead, masterfully getting us where he would take us, which we would ultimately discover was the place we wanted to go.”

Besides working as provost and director of university studies, Dovidio also served as director of the Division of Natural Sciences and Mathematics and chairman of the Department of Psychology. He is a Charles A. Dana Professor of psychology.

Trish St. Leger, associate provost, said Dovidio and the rest of the staff worked long and sometimes difficult hours, but there was always a lot of laughter in their office, along with huge amounts of coffee. Dovidio also would remind his colleagues that family came first, there were no “academic emergencies.”

“Jack, you are a role mentor, motivator, cheerleader, therapist, and dear friend. You mean so much to us,” said St. Leger.

Scott Kraly, Charles A. Dana Professor of psychology, started at 51���� just a year after Dovidio. Kraly said that despite Dovidio being “two times smart,” his colleague could talk to anybody, whether they were from the “street or the academy.” Anne Ashebaugh, professor of philosophy, said Dovidio was the quintessence of “practical wisdom,” the person who was able to build bridges across campus.

David Hale, financial vice president and treasurer, said he was constantly amazed about what his colleague on the senior staff was able to accomplish in a day.

“Jack was someone who works extraordinarily hard, has great integrity, and has absolutely no ego,” said Hale.

Dovidio also spoke, sharing stories and memories of his time at 51���� while talking directly to each person who spoke before him. He also addressed members of his office staff Kathy Langworthy and Helen Payne who he said provided invaluable assistance to him.

Dovidio’s wife, Linda, is a nurse director at the Student Health Center. Word of her leaving was a sad event for the center, according to center director Dr. Merrill Miller, who said she made significant contributions to the center in just three short years.

Tim O’Keeffe
Office of University Communications
315.228.6634