A president pondered
Dale Rogers Marshall arrived at Wheaton in 1992 as the college's sixth president. In her 12 years as president, Marshall has led a dramatic economic and academic expansion of Wheaton, placing the college among the nation's top liberal arts institutions. The story of Wheaton in this era of success, as she would tell anyone, has many authors. The Quarterly asked many of those who've worked side-by-side with Marshall to tell their tales.
Trustee Deborah Dluhy '62:
I first met Dale at a small dinner in February at the home of a trustee prior to her appointment. It was a cold winter evening, warming bowls of chili were served, and everyone was filled with nervous curiosity as they met the candidate chosen to be the next president of Wheaton. Throughout the evening, Dale was warm, direct, personable, and fun - and true to her generous spirit, she was as interested in each of us as we were in her. Those impressions remained vivid as I reflected back on this first meeting, and they turned out to be right on target as I got to know Dale much better over the years.
Trustee Richard Chait:
Dale was chief academic officer at Wellesley and, very simply, my impression was that I had met a future college president. She was proficient, politic (in the best sense), genuine and unpretentious.
Tom Sanderson '92:
At the Presidential Search Committee meetings in Boston, Dale came across as tremendously sincere, earnest and honest. I was able to spend some time with her at Wellesley College and observed that she was well-respected and would be missed after departing for Wheaton.
Kerin Stackpole '84:
Dale arrived at a time when we were a community in need of healing and new life. She had an incredible amount of energy and had the kind of pizzazz and style that could unify a badly divided alumnae/i group. Dale's fresh, energetic approach and her ability to reach out with great sincerity to everyone was evident early on. She was just what the doctor ordered!
Trustee Emeritus Paul Gray S'55, P'80, GP'04:
From the start of her leadership of Wheaton, Dale impressed us with both her openness to new ideas and her willingness to try them. Whether the subject was a suggestion about trustee candidates, a different way of thinking about elements of college nuances, or a new investment vehicle, Dale engaged with curiosity and openness.
Provost and Professor of History Emerita, Hannah Goldberg:
At the beginning of her presidency, Dale vowed there would be no new buildings, but she quickly recognized the need for enhanced facilities in the arts; the result is Wheaton's spectacular new arts complex. We always used to talk about Wheaton as a well-kept secret, and Dale deserves our gratitude for having presided over an amazing decade in Wheaton's history, and for having let the cat out of the bag.
Trustee Emeritus Win Hindle:
Dale has a quiet determination to do what is right; this was perhaps exhibited most forcefully by the Faculty Salary Plan that she and Ed Merck proposed to the trustees. She had been troubled from the start of her tenure as president that faculty members felt they were under-appreciated and underpaid, especially because their salary increases were being decided after all other programs were funded. Dale felt it was right to decide on salaries at the beginning of the budget cycle. After some nervousness about the affordability of this plan, the trustees agreed with Dale's proposal and the faculty took their rightful place at the forefront of our annual planning. The plan received nationwide attention and Wheaton's faculty applauded.
Kerin Stackpole '84:
Dale isn't afraid to take on difficult issues or tackle difficult problems. Part of the healing process after coeducation meant dealing with angry alums, some of whom were my friends and classmates. Dale never flinched. She was willing to have tough conversations with people who felt betrayed by the college, and she offered them a reason to come back. Dale's courage allowed Wheaton to move forward.
Fred Marcks '02:
I have had countless meetings where Dale always listened, cogitated and made her decision. Even if her answer was not what I wanted it to be, I thought it was fair. I remember when a group of student activists were protesting the parent company of Sodexho-Marriott in the hopes that they would divest from the private prison industry. It was quite the display in the Dimple, including crude, home-made prison cells and student "prisoners." Dale walked out of Park Hall and went straight into the display. She must have sat there with them discussing it for 45 minutes! That really impressed me.
Indira Henard '03:
During my sophomore year some African-American students reported being harassed on Norton's streets, so Dale set up a meeting with town officials and students to discuss the matter and see how things could be improved. When something similar happened during my senior year - the white students of 44 Howard Street were harassed when they flew an upside-down American flag - Dale again met with students and town officials. At one point in the discussion, I recall that Dale said, "Now the white students know what the black students went through." Dale is a champion of causes, a woman who has led this community with grace, style and integrity.
Professor Derek Price:
The handling of events at 44 Howard Street represents Dale at her best. It was a high-risk situation for the college, and Dale was a model of leadership in bringing together the many people and groups invested in the issue. She was passionate about respecting differing points of view. As a result, the situation turned out to be an event for which Wheaton became respected widely.
Trustee Richard Chait:
Dale is remarkably without ego as college presidents go. This Leading a seminar on urban politics means she can place ideas into play, seek counsel, and work toward discovering the best solution rather than imposing her own. She consistently places the institution's success above her own.
Christine K. Koh '95:
Shortly before graduating from Wheaton, I was faced with graduate school rejection letters, including one from Dale's alma mater, Cornell. My morale was shot, and when I relayed the news, her immediate reaction was "What?! Well, clearly they don't know you. Don't ever doubt yourself! They will realize what a big mistake they have made." Dale's unwavering support lifted my spirits and helped further my perspective that typical quantitative landmarks, such as an acceptance letter, are not reflective of one's self-worth. And as irony has it, a couple of years later I was offered admission to Cornell's graduate school but ended up declining the offer.
Trustee Diana Davis Spencer '60:
What's so remarkable is that Dale has made time to connect with students in so many ways, including teaching courses and supporting students at sports and arts events. Dale makes things happen.
Jane Martin '74:
Dale seemed initially rather cool to the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Alumnae/i (LGBTA), but she attended our early breakfast meetings, asked good questions, and stuck with it. She came to every single one of our panels, and at each one, made positive, supportive remarks. I appreciated the time and effort. She also made a point of appointing Peaches Henning '56 and her partner, Katherine Kendall, to the President's Commission. She never shied away from putting the LGBTA into the public consciousness.
Derrie Hendricks-Blunt '56:
Wheaton has had a genuine dynamo at its helm - an endearing cheerleader whose commitment and energy were so infectious that after years of disinterest, I reconnected with the college and joined the ranks of its many volunteers inspired and challenged by her leadership and vision for our Wheaton of the 21st century.
Former Vice President Catherine Conover:
Dale pledged to do cartwheels down the aisle of Cole Chapel if the Campaign for Wheaton met its goal. I don't remember whether she ever did them in the chapel, but I do recall the party at the Presidents' House in the summer of 2000 when she did cartwheels across the lawn to the delight of all the staff gathered. Dale's own take on doing something silly but motivating will make a great item for a chapter in Professor Paul Helmreich's next book.
Provost and Professor of History Emerita Hannah Goldberg:
I have many Dale stories to tell, but my favorite is of Dale on the beach at Cape Cod, where we had gone for an officers' planning retreat. Most of us were wandering on the beach during one of our breaks when Dale suddenly started turning cartwheels and somersaults in the sand! I'm not sure any of the rest of us could have done that and I, for one, was very envious. Dale was very pleased with herself!
Tom Sanderson '92:
Dale was the vanguard of an effort to raise the profile and morale of Wheaton while also solidifying gains and shepherding Wheaton through a continuous transition to coeducation. There is no one who can refute her unmistakable results.
Trustee Deborah Dluhy '62:
Dale has a deep belief in the liberal arts experience. Though always graceful and willing to listen, she will not submit to pressure and abandon those things she values and believes in. Her resolve and focus on building Wheaton's reputation as a place of excellence in the delivery of a liberal arts education has been absolutely critical to bringing the college to where it is today. Sometimes that process was difficult. But her thoughtful, steady, strategic work kept all eyes directed on the enhancement of Wheaton's core mission.
Trustee Richard Chait:
Dale is a jewel.
Fred Marcks '02:
You cannot go wrong when you have a college president who isn't afraid to do a jig when the bagpipes are playing, to quote Dr. Seuss during Commencement, or to sit on the floor of a professor's house to talk with students. I'll miss you, Dale.
