Sources: Scott Jones, 785-532-5546, sjones1@k-state.edu;
Pat Bosco, 785-532-6237, bosco@k-state.edu;
and Heather Reed, 785-532-6432, hreed@k-state.edu
Photo available. Contact media@k-state.edu or 785-532-6415.
News release prepared by: Beth Bohn, 785-532-6415, bbohn@k-state.edu

Tuesday, April 20, 2010

K-STATE GREEK AFFAIRS DIRECTOR TO RETURN TO POST AS ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF STUDENT LIFE OFFICE

MANHATTAN -- After leading Kansas State University's Greek affairs office for nearly six years, Scott Jones will be returning to familiar territory.

Jones is heading back to K-State's office of student life as a full-time assistant dean of student life and assistant director of the office of student life. The move, which takes effect in the summer, has been approved by Pat Bosco, K-State vice president for student life and dean of students.

Prior to being appointed interim director of Greek affairs in July 2004 and earning the director title in 2005, Jones served as assistant dean and assistant director of student life, retaining the assistant dean of student life title with his appointment as director of Greek affairs.

Under Jones' leadership, Greek membership and leadership has thrived at K-State. Membership in sororities at K-State is at an all-time high, and the fall sorority GPA was the highest it has been since 1979. The number of sororities at K-State also is increasing to 13 when Zeta Tau Alpha re-colonizes in fall 2010. In addition, membership in K-State's 24 fraternities has remained strong. K-State's Panhellenic and Interfraternity governing councils also have annually been recognized for excellence under Jones.

Jones said he requested the move because his work in the student life office will more closely relate to his future career goals. In his free time, Jones has been working on a doctorate in college student personnel administration and wants to work more closely with students and their families.

"I want to thank the K-State fraternity and sorority community for the opportunity to be a part of the many great things that have occurred during the last six years," Jones said. "The committed, caring and capable leadership of students, alumni volunteers and Greek affairs staff has empowered Greeks to live more purposeful and mission-focused lives as men and women committed to individual and organization excellence. I will take what I have learned from this experience and continue to apply it to my return to the office of student life, where I will be working with students in crisis. It is the work that drew me to K-State and continues to be at the core of my professional goals."

"Scott is a valued member of our student life staff," Bosco said. "One of his great strengths is in working with our students and families, especially those in crisis. Scott has served well in a variety of areas for me, including on the front line when our students and their families need experienced help."

Jones will report to Heather Reed, assistant dean and director of student life at K-State.

"I am excited to welcome Scott Jones back to the office of student life. Scott is a skilled student life professional with a wealth of knowledge about K-State and our students," Reed said. "During his previous tenure at student life, he provided exceptional support to students and families when they had problems and was a collaborative leader, advocating for students and for a supportive campus community. His return to the office of student life will allow us to focus more directly on student retention and early intervention when problems arise for students. K-State is well-known for excellent student and family support services and Scott will contribute significantly to this mission."

"Scott has been an asset to the Greek Community and the K-State family as a whole. He will be greatly missed but remembered as an important contributor in making our K-State Greek system one of the nation's most elite," said Russell Propp, president of K-State's Interfraternity Council and a junior in construction science and management, Columbia, Mo.

"I have really enjoyed working with Scott over the past few months. I am sad to see him leave the Greek affairs office, but excited to see him remain a part of the K-State community," said Ashley Joerger, president of the K-State Panhellenic Council and a junior in mass communications, Lenexa.

Jones joined K-State in 1999. Along with his duties as assistant dean and assistant director of student life and director of Greek affairs, he has served as an adviser to Chimes, the junior honorary, and has been a member of the Campaign for Nonviolence, the K-State Faculty Senate and the President's Commission on the Status of Women. He also is a K-State Safe Zone program trainer. He is a member of the Association of Fraternity Advisors, Association of Student Judicial Advisors and the Association of Student Personnel Administrations. He has been an invited speaker on topics relating to student life and Greek affairs at regional and national conferences.

Jones received a master's in college student services administration from Oregon State University, and a master's in natural science and bachelor's in biology, both from the University of South Dakota. He previously worked at Oregon State, where he served in various roles, including as assistant director of residence life, residence hall director and area coordinator for academic and orientation programs and international house director. In addition, Jones was Greek adviser and student activities adviser at South Dakota.

A task force of student leaders, alumni and faculty will make recommendations soon to Bosco regarding the future structure, funding and staffing for K-State's office of Greek affairs.