Hagge's resignation stems from conflicts with Cole

Cole attempted to influence hiring

According to administrative sources, former Director of Career Services Lanna Hagge's resignation this year after 22 years at Oberlin was spurred by personal conflicts with Dean of Student Life and Services Charlene Cole-Newkirk. Hagge was reportedly frustrated with Cole-Newkirk's attempts to influence hiring within the Office of Career Services.

"Charlene hated Lanna because she had applied for Charlene's job," said a member of the staff of Student Life and Services who wished to remain anonymous. "Charlene would harrass Lanna in staff meetings. Lanna is highly competent."

Cole-Newkirk said she did not believe personal dynamics influenced Hagge's decision to leave Oberlin. "It is my understanding Lanna left because she wanted to be with her son," she said.

In 1995 Cole-Newkirk allegedly asked then-Director of Residential Life and Services Deb McNish to send a fax to Ken Holmes asking him to pen his ideal job description. Holmes was requested not to return the description by fax. Holmes sent a fax detailing his interest in working in the Office of Career Services that was intercepted by then-Director of Career Services Lanna Hagge.

Holmes denied he had ever expressed any interest in working in Career Services. "I don't have any experience in career services," he said.

According to sources within the Department of Student Life and Services, the incident seriously damaged the relationship between Hagge and Cole-Newkirk. Their relationship deteriorated further when Charles Newkirk, Cole-Newkirk's husband, applied for a position in the Office of Career Services. Newkirk allegedly submitted a resume despite not having any previous experience in the field.

Cole-Newkirk said she did not encourage Hagge to hire her husband. "I never talked to Lanna about Charles about a job," she said. "When we first got here he was going to apply, but I don't think he ever did."

According to an administrative source, Newkirk was accused of harassing secretaries in the Office of Career Services during the application process. Director of Equity Camille Mitchell was not able to confirm or deny the allegations because of rules of confidentiality.

When asked to comment, Newkirk said, "I would advise you to get a life. I suggest you pull your head out of your ass and quit playing your fucked up racist games. Fuck you."

Business Initiatives Administrative Assistant Brenda Snell claimed she was not familiar with any allegations of harassment. "You're asking a little old administrative assistant," she said.

"From my personal information, I don't have any knowledge of that," said Administrative Assistant Delores Whitney.

A meeting between President of the College Nancy Dye and Hagge in 1996 resulted in shifting the Office of Career Services away from Cole-Newkirk's jurisdiction. The Office of Career Services was placed under the supervision of the Center for Service and Learning.

"We now have Career Services reporting directly to the president through the Center for Service and Learning because of a personal conflict between the former director and the dean," said senator junior Chapin Benninghoff.

Daniel Gardner, director of the Center for Service and Learning, said he was not aware of any personal conflicts that precipitated the change. "The way it was presented to me by the president was only positive," Gardner said. "It came about as a result of trying to find ways to bring common things together."

Lanna Hagge, currently employed as the Director of Career Services at Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut, declined to comment on the situation.

Dye said she was unable to discuss Hagge's departure.