Associate Academic Dean Rick Davis died last Tuesday, Feb. 16, after an eight-month battle with brain cancer. He was 52 years old.
Davis had been working at Augustana since 2005. As associate academic dean of the college, Davis worked in the Office of Academic Affairs and was responsible for meeting with students about academic concerns – anything from honor code violations to grade appeals to conflicts with a professor.
"One of his greatest gifts was his ability to work so well with students," Dean of Academic Affairs Mark Braun said. "Rick brought to his work a depth of knowledge about student development that is rare for academic administrators. He made every student feel that they were special."
Alumna Sara Eiesland, who graduated last May, said Davis helped her fight nerves and stay calm as she prepared to give the commencement address at graduation last spring.
"I was extremely nervous on the day of graduation," Eiesland said. "Rick helped to keep me calm. He sat beside me on stage prior to my speech, and I will be forever grateful for his supportive presence."
In addition to working directly with students, Davis was responsible for the general education program and was a central figure in launching the honors program Civitas, now in its third year. He oversaw the Capstone program for seniors and the New Student Seminar (NSS) program for incoming students. He also helped recruit, maintain and mentor faculty.
When Davis was diagnosed with brain cancer in June 2009, he was forced to take a six-month leave from the college. After his medical leave ended, he had to go on long-term disability leave. The college chose not to replace him at that time.
Braun believes one of Davis' biggest accomplishments at Augustana was his part in developing a retention program to help struggling students meet their educational goals and to improve the freshman-to-sophomore retention rate. He was a co-leader of the First-Year Initiative program with Associate Dean of Students Tracy Riddle.
"Personally, I already miss him," Riddle said. "He brought a true student focus to the Academic Affairs Office. He believed in the excellence we talk about at Augie and modeled that to his colleagues and friends."
Registrar Joni Krueger said that Davis was known for his walks around campus, where he took time to visit with students and faculty.
"He liked to take the time to sit down and have a conversation to resolve issues and to creatively come up with solutions to difficult problems," Krueger said. "He liked to make sure individuals were working together to meet the needs of students and faculty in the most effective way possible."
Davis also worked closely with professors on campus. He and philosophy professor David O'Hara came to work at Augustana around the same time.
"I liked working with Rick because he could be very serious and very funny at the same time," O'Hara said. "He was a good man, and a kind one, and I miss him."
Before being hired at Augustana, Davis served as assistant dean for enrollment management and registrar at South Dakota State University (SDSU), and before that as director of student activities at the University of South Dakota (USD). He also taught at SDSU, USD, the University of Vermont and the University of Florida.
Director of assessment and institutional research Karen Younger said she will remember him most for his commitment to students and faculty alike.
"His life was all about people," Younger said. "At Augustana his focus was on students, faculty and staff. He looked for ways to make things better for people."
Vice president for student services Jim Bies also shared this view of Davis.
"A man who I had the opportunity to interact with on a regular basis, he treated me with dignity, valued my opinion, thoughtfully reflected on the topic at hand and always – and I mean always – deliberated with care and concern for how his decisions would affect others," Bies said.
Braun said Davis was "simply a joy to work with.
"He was probably the most engaging professional I have worked with in my career thus far," Braun said. "He was a real friend and a trusted colleague."
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