Optimist
  • News
  • Sports
  • Opinion
    • Columns
    • Editorials
    • Letters to the Editor
  • Features
    • Book Review
  • Multimedia
    • Photo Galleries
    • Videos
  • Podcasts
    • Optimist Overtime
    • Top of the Key
  • Police Log
  • Print Edition
  • Projects
  • About
    • Advertise
    • Policies
    • Staff Contacts
    • Jobs
You are here: Home / Opinion / Columns / Confession: I’ve been watching you, Delony

Confession: I’ve been watching you, Delony

April 12, 2013 by Asia Todd

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.

Filed Under: Columns Tagged With: guest column

Other Opinion:

  • Not-so-friendly competition

  • Sing Song in the Expo Center presents an exciting opportunity

  • Micro-trends are a danger to Gen Z and the planet

About Asia Todd

You are here: Home / Opinion / Columns / Confession: I’ve been watching you, Delony

Other Opinion:

  • Not-so-friendly competition

  • Sing Song in the Expo Center presents an exciting opportunity

  • Micro-trends are a danger to Gen Z and the planet

Follow us online

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Optimist on Twitter

acuoptimist The Optimist @acuoptimist ·
4 May

"Maybe we just don’t care enough. But if we do start caring, and if we become the loudest fans in the WAC, let’s stick to supportive cheering." Read more from Guest Columnist Londyn Gray:
https://acuoptimist.com/2022/04/not-so-friendly-competition/

Reply on Twitter 1521918832738144257 Retweet on Twitter 1521918832738144257 1 Like on Twitter 1521918832738144257 8 Twitter 1521918832738144257
acuoptimist The Optimist @acuoptimist ·
3 May

Royce Clough and Jael Morel have been named as Mr. and Miss ACU for the class of 2022, a traditional honor voted on by the student body and awarded to two members of each graduating class.

Reply on Twitter 1521607087553458178 Retweet on Twitter 1521607087553458178 Like on Twitter 1521607087553458178 18 Twitter 1521607087553458178

Optimist on Facebook

The Optimist

3 months ago

The Optimist
"Maybe we just don’t care enough. But if we do start caring, and if we become the loudest fans in the WAC, let’s stick to supportive cheering." Read more from Guest Columnist Londyn Gray: ... See MoreSee Less

Not-so-friendly competition - Optimist

acuoptimist.com

BY: LONDYN GRAY “Number 18, you look like you don’t shower!” I chuckled and shrugged it off. “Londyn!” They had looked up the roster. “Do you even brush your teeth?” I laughed again, rol...
View on Facebook
· Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

The Optimist

3 months ago

The Optimist
Cullen Auditorium is expected to be handed over to the university in June 2022, alongside a name change that coupled with the renovation will create new future for the Cornerstone class, Chapel and the Department of Theatre. ... See MoreSee Less

Cullen Auditorium still set for a name change alongside renovations - Optimist

acuoptimist.com

Cullen Auditorium is expected to be handed over to the university in June 2022, alongside a name change that coupled with the renovation will create new future for the Cornerstone class, Chapel and th...
View on Facebook
· Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

Videos

Women’s tournament run ended by first-round exit against UTRGV

The Wildcats’ Western Athletic Conference tournament run and season came to a ... [Read More…]

  • Optimist Newscast Feb. 22. 2022
  • Optimist Newscast 2.16.2022
  • Optimist Newscast 2.9.2022

Latest Photos

  • Home
  • Weekly Ads
  • Classifieds

© 2022 ACU Optimist · All Rights Reserved