BY DAVID LAU

In print | Published April 27, 2006

On Tuesday, May 2, students and faculty will celebrate the retirement of dean Bob Gross ‘62. The sendoff is set for the Kohlberg/Science Center Quad area, with the Science Center’s Eldridge Commons as a rain location.

Gross has held the position of Dean of the College for eight years and has worked in the dean’s office for the last 15 years. “The event will focus on his great contributions to students over the years,” said Myrt Westphal, Dean of Student Life. “A group of students, both current and those graduated, will give remarks about how Bob has affected them.”

President Al Bloom is also expected to speak. “I don’t expect that the new Dean, or candidates, will be invited,” Provost Constance Hungerford said.

This celebration will be one of many over the next few weeks honoring Gross’ accomplishments and time at Swarthmore. The deans, Evans scholars and senior staff members will each have a separate dinner in his honor. After graduation there will also be an ice cream social for all retiring staff members.

“This event [on May 2] is different because it is a student-centered celebration of [Dean Gross’] gifts and achievements,” Westphal said. “He has set a tone of joy and celebration of student achievement as a reassuring figure to students and parents.”

Those close to Gross had nothing but praise for the retiring administrator. “Bob and I were students here together so I have known him for a very long time,” said Vice President Maurice Eldridge ’61, who has known Gross for over 40 years. “Our friendship will continue, thankfully, but I will miss his presence here on the day to day basis.”

Westphal echoed Eldridge’s praise: “I will miss his sense of humor and wise counsel,” she noted. “He is a fun guy to be around, but Bob would also do the hard stuff, like when there was a difficult message to give to parents or students.”

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