Dennis Rupert likes position

After almost five months in office, Assistant Director of Residential Life and Services Dennis Rupert said, "I am still experiencing something new everyday."

Rupert, who mainly oversees facilities, said he loves to work with the staff and students and described the work as "a very good fit" for him.

Rupert's position was created through Residential Life's restructuring last year. Rupert oversees workorders and puts together proposals for renovation of residence halls.

He did not always envision himself working in this setting. After spending two years in military service immediately following high school, Rupert went on to earn an Associate Degree in Criminal Justice before entering the housing profession. He also obtained a B.A. in Psychology and a Master's Degree in Counseling Services and Higher Education from Edinboro University in Pennsylvania, where he met his wife.

Before coming to Oberlin, Rupert worked as Director of Conference Services at Western Illinois University. It was there that Rupert gained important perspective on his career.

He said he realized that "students had a customer side to them too" when they came to him to talk about and find solutions to their problems.

"That's what student services is all about," Rupert said.

Rupert credits his father as being a large role model in his life. "My father was most crucial in developing my work ethic. He raised a family of seven and I picked that up from him," he said.

Like his father, Rupert is also a family man. He loves to sing and spend a lot of time with his wife and two young children, traveling and camping.

Rupert also likes to plan for the future of Residential Life and Services. "We are working on a combined vision. We hope we will be able to get a dean for Residential Life soon. Until that time we are trying to provide the best possible service we can. We keep committed to improving facilities," he said.

Rupert encouraged students to keep faith with the Office of Residential Life and Services, saying, "If they had anything in the past that was not to their satisfaction, they should continue giving us a try. I don't think we'll let them down."

Still smiling: Dennis Rupert caters to the customer side of students. (photo by Heidi Johanson)