Sunday, May 09, 1999
Miami dean: Students are family
BY RANDY McNUTT
The Cincinnati Enquirer
OXFORD — The way Richard Nault sees it, he has Oxford's largest family.
Miami University's dean of students oversees about 16,000 students on the Oxford campus. Multiply that number by 16 — he has worked here 16 years — and you see how large and scattered his family is.
“We become friends and that continues over the years,” he said of some students. “It's more like a family to me.”
Dr. Nault is in demand — by students, alumni, faculty, parents, you name them. No matter where he goes on campus, he is greeted warmly. He hugs students, and they hug him.
“It's a spontaneous thing,” he said from his office in Warfield Hall. “It's a way of showing support.”
Stays in touch
He is known to stay the night in residence halls and to pick students up at the hospital. Once, he even allowed a student to recuperate in his home.
Students depend on the personable Dr. Nault for many things. He writes about 200 letters of recommendation a year and answers what must seem like a million questions.
He goes beyond the regular university duties. He has attended 50 weddings of students and Miami alumni. (When two Miami students marry, it's called a Miami merger.)
Once, he hosted a wedding rehearsal luncheon for 40 people in his home.
“He's so close to students, and he knows a lot about them,” said Holly Wissing, director of the university's news bureau.
“He's a wonderful man and a personal hero.”
This summer, he will attend a reunion of former Miami honors students at Martha's Vineyard.
“When they graduated about 10 years ago, they gave me books on leadership and a bookcase,” he said. “I cherish them. Many of the students have moved on to careers and families. It's a privilege to see how they've developed.”
Wanted to be involved
Dr. Nault, a native of Griffith, Ind., has wanted to be involved in students' lives since his early college teaching days in St. Louis.
“It's a wonderful feeling to walk across campus and meet students who tell me about their plans,” he said.
Over the years, alumni have become his extended family.
Some former students call Dr. Nault to talk about their tragedies and triumphs.
“I get two to three calls a week from former students,” he said. “Some of their stories touch your heart.”
Dr. Nault stresses personal responsibility and commitment to community. He always tells students: “Pay your civic rent.”
Students have goals
Although today's students are often portrayed as people without goals, he finds them just the opposite.
At Miami, for example, 70 percent of the first-year class was involved in community volunteer projects while in high school. Many continue the tradition at Miami.
Each year since 1993, when he was appointed dean of students and associate vice president for student affairs, Dr. Nault has become more recognizable on campus.
He opens his doors to students, and welcomes them to stop in to say what's on their minds.
“He has a standing invitation to any student to go to lunch, and he'll pay,” said James Conroy of London, a graduating senior and secretary for off-campus affairs. “Dr. Nault is an amazing edu cator. He's been a mentor to me and an adviser on everything from my love life to critical policy decisions. He's a tremendous man who is known by a large number of students.”
Began as honors head
Dr. Nault arrived at Miami in 1983 as associate director of the University Honors Program. He was appointed its director in 1984.
His work brought him into close contact with students, which helped in the transition when he was named the dean of students.
Last year at Homecoming Weekend, former students honored him with Miami's Effective Educator Award — and a $1,000 check from the Miami University Alumni Association.
The award is given to a faculty or staff member whose influence benefits students after they leave school.
“Dr. Nault's hugs break down the barriers,” Mr. Conroy said.
“He creates a special kinship that people take with them throughout their lives.”
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