Saeed Husain
News Editor
At the end of this semester, the College will not only say farewell to its graduating class, but also to an individual who has served the campus and its greater community in several different capacities across the past 25 years. Currently the associate vice president for student affairs and dean of first-year students, Carolyn Buxton will bid goodbye as the academic year comes to a close.
Buxton has had the distinct honor of wearing several different caps since joining the Dean of Students staff in 1993. When asked about her most satisfying achievement at Wooster, Buxton found it difficult to pick one, and replied with, “Honestly, there have been so many over the last 25 years.”
Some programs which have been hallmarks for Buxton’s tenure have come with the incoming classes Wooster has had. Buxton has served as the driving force behind New Student Orientation and A.R.C.H (Academic Registration and Creative Horizons), which has come to be known as a critical aspect of integrating any new and transfer student to life at Wooster.
Buxton has also been instrumental in selecting and training students and staff who have been involved in the College’s Conduct System. She has advised student clubs and organizations, and has worked one-on-one with students to teach them how to navigate the Wooster community, alongside implementing community service projects such as the AIDS Silent Auction and Student Voter Registration.
For this scribe, Buxton has been a common sight in many of the College’s various events — from football games to choir performances. In her life after leaving the College in her current role, you might find Buxton sitting in a class with you! While commenting on staying a part of the Wooster campus and community, she said, “I look forward to auditing courses; attending student performances; cheering on the Fighting Scots men’s and women’s athletic teams; and, on occasions, helping my friends in the Division of Student Affairs.”
At this stage of our lives as students, when many of us might be busy navigating our path and might consider retirement as the ultimate break, Buxton aims to re-visit some opportunities she previously did not have the chance to explore.
“I see life after retirement as an opportunity to press the ‘rewind’ button. My life, after retirement, will be more adventurous. It will be less rushed and not a hassle. I will take it one day at a time!” she said.
For someone who has been a part of the College in various different roles, Buxton realized what she wished for the College in coming years.
“I wish the College every blessing. Continued success as it strengthens its educational mission. Peace and prosperity. Brilliant faculty members and engaged students. A balanced budget. Victory over Wittenberg!”
Filling Buxton’s shoes, one could imagine, will not be an easy task. A constant presence on campus and an instrumental leader in countless projects, Buxton’s successor will have their work cut out for them once they arrive. On advice for her successor, Buxton says that they should be gentle with themselves.
“I would advise my successor to enjoy each day as it comes. If you are able to see each student as a flower, pretty soon you realize you are holding a beautiful bouquet in your hands,” she said.
President Sarah Bolton learned of Buxton’s intentions at the end of January and stated that the College is already in the process of hiring a replacement. “Scott Brown, as vice president for Student Affairs and dean of students, is leading the search for a successor to Dean Buxton,” Bolton said. “We expect the new senior associate dean to start in the summer, so that they will be here when students return in the fall.”
Bolton also described some of the qualities that the person filling the role should have. “The person will need to have deep experience in supporting the success of students who face a variety of challenges, as well as in leading colleagues and building programs to create an even better experience for every Wooster student,” she explained. “It is particularly important that they have very strong cultural competencies and the ability to anticipate and meet the needs of historically marginalized students and demonstrated success in strengthening equity and inclusion.”
Brown explained the immeasurable loss that the College faces once Buxton retires. “She is an extraordinary dean who has been critical to the success of and well-being for generations of students, for the big and many, many little but important things she has done for them.”
Bolton added, “Overall, she has had a transformative impact on the lives of generations of Wooster students. We will miss her greatly, and her successor will have the great opportunity to build from all the extraordinary work Dean Buxton has done.”