Dr.

Saturday, October 07, 2000

Dr. Bill Dingus stood in Ohio University Southern Campus’s courtyard Thursday, listening.

"Bill and I go back to the days when I was in the classroom, when the branch was at Ironton High School, so I wanted to be the one who presented this," Ironton City Council member Jesse Roberts said.

Before dozens of the retiring dean’s friends, faculty, students and community officials, Roberts read a proclamation that honored Dingus for his accomplishments.

Having served the college campus since 1976, Dingus made education and the development of his community the central focus of his life, which should be honored, Roberts read.

Dingus wore many civic hats, including the chairmanship of the Lawrence Economic Development Corporation, and lended his skills to many groups – from the Ironton Rotary Club to the Ohio Department of Education.

During the dean’s tenure, the Ironton campus of OU became a multi-building complex and an asset to the city, which should be commended, Roberts read.

After the applause, Dingus accepted the plaque, saying one of the most beautiful parts of his career has been interaction with students.

"Being able to see young bright individuals come in and then go out to successful careers has been exceptional," he said.

OUSC has accomplished a lot but the credit must be shared with its many years of staff, Dingus said/

"And this campus has prospered well because of the love from the community," he added. "I was just at the right place at the right time to become its cheerleader."

Friends and co-workers at Thursday’s event, which was also Dingus’s birthday party, gave the dean more credit than he was willing to give himself.

"I’ve known him for many years and he’s a true supporter of the community," Ironton attorney Harold Spears said. "We just had to come down here for this celebration."

OUSC administrator Carol Allen said Dingus was the driving force behind the campus’s success.

"I cannot tell you the hundreds of people living in this community that are a part of what Bill Dingus created."