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MOSCOW, Idaho (AP) — University of Idaho's interim provost and executive vice president, Katherine Aiken, effectively brought crowds of sentimental listeners to roars of laughter Thursday when she presented, as she said was assigned her, historical comments on student services.
Although student services was a concept introduced during the Athenian Period - the eighth through sixth centuries B.C. - and embraced in the U.S. in the 17th century, Aiken made clear that honoree Bruce Pitman was not present for those events.
State and local dignitaries, and UI administrators, faculty and staff gathered with Moscow residents to honor Pitman with the official dedication of the Bruce M. Pitman Center, formerly the Student Union Building. Pitman provided the university with more than 40 years of service, much of it as dean of students and vice provost of student affairs. He retired in October.
University President Chuck Staben remarked Aiken was always a hard act to follow, as would be Pitman.
A big part of campus life, there was no more fitting a building to name for Pitman, Staben said.
"It's particularly fitting because it's often the first impression students get of the university," he said. "He has led student services with strength, vision and compassion, what we all hope to do as professionals. Bruce, you have left this university better than you found it."
In her presentation of Pitman, Aiken said although she knew it was a cliche, Pitman is a person who needs no introduction.
"I'm glad you are all here to honor Bruce Pitman," she said. "Especially since we don't want to honor him, because we don't want him to leave."
In his presentation to the crowded lobby, Pitman expressed his thanks to Staben and Aiken, who he said were instrumental to the change.
Pitman said in his 40-plus years at the UI, he has seen three building dedications and is aware it is a rare occurrence.
"I'm honored to have my name attached to this building," he said. "And I'm grateful it's happening while I'm still here."
Pitman said the building - which included restaurants, a bowling alley, a game room and the outdoor recreation center upon his arrival in 1973 - is the "heart of student and campus life."
"My desire to be in student affairs began in a building like this a few thousand miles away," Pitman said.
He was referring to Purdue University in Indiana, where he served on the Student Union Board - and eventually married his wife, Kathy, a fellow board member.
"It took me about a year to wait out a guy she was dating," he said.
But it was worth the wait, Pitman said, for his best friend and partner.
Pitman gripped enormous, silver-handled ceremonial scissors to cut the brilliant yellow ribbon decorated with a bow Aiken said took Internet research and four faculty members to create.
On a Post-It note beside the scissors was written: "Don't run with these."
On Jan. 1, the University of Idaho's Student Union Building was officially renamed the Bruce M. Pitman Center. The change was not altogether surprising, to at least one UI alum.
During Pitman's Oct. 17 retirement party, speaker and alumni Dean Davis said he recalled commenting to Pitman in the 1980s, "If you stay here much longer, they'll start naming buildings after you," he said. "Lo and behold."
Pitman began his career at the university with seven years as a Greek advisor, and he was named dean of students in 1981.
During their time in Moscow, the couple had three children, all of whom eventually graduated from the UI.
Pitman told the Daily News in April he and his wife plan to remain on the Palouse, where they are involved in numerous community projects, but will enjoy additional freedom and recreational time as well.
Pitman is succeeded by Craig Chatriand as associate dean of students and Jean Kim as vice provost for student affairs and enrollment management.
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Information from: The Moscow-Pullman Daily News, http://www.dnews.com
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