There are people in life who I admire from afar. I get small glimpses of who they are through short encounters in meetings and passings in the Bean. I watch how they handle high-tension university crisis moments. I read about them in the paper. I don’t get to interact with them on a daily-BFF-basis, but I sleep soundly at night knowing that big decisions are in their very capable hands. When tuition rises and enrollment falls, I feel at ease knowing that, somewhere in the mix, Delony would have a say in things. So in saying that, I have a confession: For the past two years of my resident life experience, I have been watching Dr. John Delony.
John Delony is the associate dean of students who has taken the position of assistant dean of students at Texas Tech University School of Law for next year. He is the chief residence life and housing officer and has done incredible work in the Masters of Higher Education program. He has the cutest Hank on earth and a superhero of a wife, Sheila. His family’s dedication to the ACU community is not something he’ll be able to sneak out of here unnoticed. If a man moves his family into campus housing, you know it’s true dedication.
I have watched Delony conduct meetings, navigate through difficult budget cuts and peg an RA in the face with a dodgeball. This man has my respect. If ever faced with an impromptu battle, I would bet that every single ResLife staff would join his army in a heartbeat. So, I write this thank you on behalf of the Resident Life family to let John know that we think of him as a man of humility, humor and a whole lot of heart.
Members of Reslife describe him as, epic, approachable and empowering. Tracy Wetsel, residential services coordinator, agrees that Delony is a rare find. He is able to walk into a meeting with the President of the University and conduct official ACU business, then see a student slap high fives and swap crazy movie quotes as well as throw a mean dodgeball. He understands people and meets them where they are.
I received a personalized email from John Delony my first year as an RA. I thought I was in trouble at first, but then I read that he had written a personalized email to me, a newbie staff member, reflecting on a short missions video I made. I was so scared of replying that I never told him how much it meant to me to be recognized by my boss in that way. In this email, he said something that I would like to throw back at him as he concludes his time at ACU. Delony, thank you for “inspiring those of us who are supposed to be in the business of inspiring.” We will miss you dearly, and hope that you rock it at the lucky school who gets you next.
