By Shelby Howlett, Class of '12
CONWAY -- (Sept. 26, 2008) Just a month into the new semester, Hendrix College’s new Dean of Students is already making an impression.
In June, Hendrix welcomed Jim Wiltgen, the new Dean of Students into the community. Wiltgen first made his presence known to the students by talking to the freshmen class during Orientation Week in August. With witty references to popular movies, Wiltgen radiated a rare mix of authority and comradery into the audience. Students could both relate to his stories and respect his position at the same time.
Originally from Sioux City, Iowa, Wiltgen attended college at Loras College in Dubuque, Iowa where he earned his bachelor’s degree in speech communications. He then obtained his master’s degree in education from Arizona State University. Wiltgen’s interest in student affairs began when he served as a resident assistant in his dorm. Wiltgen then took on the position of the Director of Residence College at Bucknell University for three years and climbed the ladder to the Assistant Dean of College Life at Gettysburg College.
After seven years at Gettysburg, Wiltgen felt that it was time to take the next step in his professional career. He found the position opening at Hendrix and, while reading the job description, Wiltgen became intrigued by the deep traditions and academic prestige of Hendrix.
“The Odyssey program, student involvement, and growth of stature of the school drew me to Hendrix,” Wiltgen said. “The school is carving out a national reputation. It’s great to come in when the school is on the rise.”
After visiting campus, Wiltgen immediately fell in love with the aura of the campus and people at Hendrix.
“As soon as I came to visit I knew that this was the place to be,” he said. “The people were great to talk to and I enjoyed the beauty of the fountains and courts around campus.”
In his free time, Wiltgen enjoys spending time with his wife, Susanne, and their three children. They enjoy activities such as swimming at the Hendrix pool. He also likes to watch sports, including his favorite NFL team, the Green Bay Packers. Wiltgen has traveled to the 48 contiguous states of the U.S. and hopes to visit Alaska and Hawaii in the future. He is the oldest of nine children and jokes that his family life was his first RA position.
“Being the oldest of so many children taught me important lessons for my job such as sharing and to be considerate,” commented Wiltgen.
“Coming in as the Dean of Students can’t be a fun job all of the time, but it is a really important job to the college,” he continued. “I really like to support the students by helping to challenge them and grow from their experiences both in and out of the classroom.”