Wayne College hosts Jim Tressel at Open House
Those attending the recent open house at the University of Akron Wayne College were treated to a number of added activities. In addition to campus tours, information about degree programs and financial aid, Zippy cookies and a visit from Zippy the school’s mascot, visitors received a colorful plastic Hawaiian lei and the chance to talk with Jim Tressel.
Tressel was the popular longtime football coach at The Ohio State University before coming to work at the University of Akron (UA) as the vice president of strategic engagement. Tressel was there to give a presentation, Paradise is Where I Am. The open house started at 6 p.m. and by the time Tressel started his talk at 7 p.m., the J.M. Smucker Co. Room on the first level of the Student Life Building was packed.
When Tressel walked in the door, people got out of their seats to say hello, ask for an autograph and to shake hands. Some greeted him by calling him coach. Tressel took the time to sign autographs and speak with people before his presentation and again after he finished his talk.
Wayne College holds an open house a couple of times each year to open the campus up to the community.
“The event is open to the general public, not just those interested in attending,” said Regina Schwartz, community relations manager for Wayne College.
“We’re always excited to bring new people to the campus that may not have been here before,” she said.
Schwartz said they were expecting more than 200 people to attend. The theme of the evening was selected due in part to one of their new students, Andrew Ravelo from Hawaii. He came to Wayne College to study engineering.
“The University of Akron has one of the best polymer degree programs in the U.S.,” Ravelo said.
“All of the engineering programs here are widely respected around the U.S. Ohio is known for its rich engineering history,” he said.
Before Ravelo introduced Tressel to the audience, he said that moving to Ohio presented a few challenges. He had to take and make phone calls during the early morning hours because of the time difference. Ravelo also said that he has found employment in the area and was thankful for the help Wayne College provided with getting registered and with his transition.
Tressel started by saying that one of his mottos is that paradise is wherever he is at the time. He’s been with UA for 11 months and he said he is still being asked what he does with the university.
“After my first month here, I asked myself that same question,” Tressel said.
He told the group that he was asked by the university’s president, Dr. Luis Proenza, to help with seven Rs, recruitment, retention, making learning relevant for students, getting students job ready, making it so students want to return to UA, build relationships and finding ways to help students reduce their tuition debt.
“So if anyone ever asks you what Jim Tressel is doing at the University of Akron, remember at least one of those Rs,” he said.
After starting his day with his first meeting at 7 a.m. and spending an hour talking, (without any notes), to the audience from 7 to 8 p.m., he left the stage to find himself surrounded by people wanting to continue to talk with him. He graciously spent more of his already long day doing one the Rs, building relationships with the Wayne College community.
“It is very special for Wayne College and the community to have Mr. Tressel here tonight,” said Neil Sapienza, dean of Wayne College.
“I’m so impressed by his accessibility and how he speaks from the heart. He has been a wonderful addition to the University of Akron,” he said.
By Patricia Faulhaber
Full article:
http://www.woosterweeklynews.com/article/20130318/EDUCATION/703189895/0/wwn?sectioncat=wwn