Sources: Pat Bosco, 785-532-6237, bosco@k-state.edu;
and Gayle Spencer, 785-532-6541, gayle@k-state.edu
News release prepared by: Greg Tammen, 785-532-2535, media@k-state.edu

Friday, May 21, 2010

K-STATE PROMOTING GAYLE SPENCER; NEW DUTIES INCLUDE DIRECTING GREEK AFFAIRS

MANHATTAN -- Gayle Spencer, assistant dean of student life and coordinator of student activities at Kansas State University, is getting a new title and new responsibilities.

 

In response to a recently released Greek affairs task force report, Pat Bosco, vice president for student life and dean of students at K-State, has assigned Greek affairs to Spencer. Effective May 24, she will be promoted to associate dean of student life and director of student activities. She also will continue her work advising K-State's Student Governing Association and directing the Healthy Decisions program while realignment of her other duties are examined.

"Gayle has been an outstanding staff member and has been active in Greek life for many years, locally and nationally," Bosco said. "This new assignment compliments her work in leadership development and student organizational advising."

"We have one of the strongest and best Greek communities in the nation. I'm really excited to work with our Greek students and alumni and continue strengthening our Greek community," Spencer said.

Prior to joining K-State in 1997 as coordinator of student activities, Spencer spent nearly six years at the University of Notre Dame as an assistant director of student activities and programming, and nearly five years at the University of Houston advising the student program board. In 1999 she was elected to the National Association for Campus Activities board of directors for a two-year term. She was named interim adviser of the K-State's Panhellenic Council in 2004, shortly before being named assistant dean of student life. Spencer has a bachelor's in business administration from the University of Nebraska at Omaha, a master's in college student personnel from Western Illinois University, and a doctorate in student counseling and student personnel services from K-State.

Spencer's appointment is in response to a report by a Greek affairs task force, comprised of student leaders and fraternity and sorority alumni, calling for two full-time professionals to address fraternities and sororities as well as the addition of two graduate assistants to the staff. The report also recommended a consolidation of some student life programs, particularly in light of budget realities facing K-State.

"I am amazed once again by the maturity and ownership our student leaders have displayed as we work through this process. Over the next year, I will work with our student and alumni leadership to execute most, if not all, of the recommendations," Bosco said.

Spencer replaces Scott Jones, who asked earlier this spring to return to the student life office in his position of assistant dean and assistant director of student life.

"Scott's request allowed us to explore different options for this award-winning, nationally recognized program," Bosco said.

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 2009 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.