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Associate Dean Ann Oliver to Retire in July
Ann Oliver, associate dean for academic affairs, will retire on July 1, after a successful career that has included 24 years at HSPH.
Oliver took her first position at the school in 1975, when she served as administrator for a continuing education course for nurses. Her performance in this position impressed faculty members who recruited her for a new position in the Department of Health Policy and Management (HPM). She stayed in HPM for several years, ending up as administrative director of the department.
By 1980, Oliver had again attracted attention, this time of then-HSPH Dean Howard Hiatt and Dean for Academic Affairs Elkan Blout. She worked as special assistant to the deans for a year before being promoted to assistant dean for academic administration. In 1987, oversight of the Admissions, Financial Aid, and Registrar's Offices were added to her responsibilities, and she was promoted to associate dean.
She has been responsible for administrative matters pertaining to academic affairs, including faculty and research appointments, standing and ad hoc committees, long-range planning, and administrative relationships within and outside of the university.
"I've had a good time here," said Oliver. "I wouldn't have stayed so long if I wasn't enjoying myself!"
Oliver
has a reputation throughout the school as being a person who doesn't waste
a moment of time. In keeping with this trait, she is immediately embarking
on an adventurous travel agenda for her retirement: Australia in July,
Cape Cod in August, and China in the autumn.
Oliver's colleagues have been telling her that her impending retirement seems to agree with her: "People tell me that I've been smiling more than ever before. I am looking forward to having the freedom that retirement will bring, yet there's no question that I'm going to miss the school."
"But," she added, "I'm not going to miss it enough to come back to work!"
Oliver will be succeeded by Bernita Anderson, who becomes associate dean for academic affairs on July 1. Anderson leaves her position as assistant dean for students to Robin Worth, who also begins her service on July 1.
Ann-ecdotes A few of Ann Oliver's colleagues were asked to share stories or to comment on their relationships with Oliver. Here's what they had to say:
"Ann has been the Rock of Gibraltar for Academic Affairs. She is very collegial and has made friends throughout the university--her relationships with various folks have been a tremendous asset for the school. Personally, I couldn't have accomplished the amount of teaching and research that I have without Ann taking so much of the responsibility of academic affairs. She's made it possible for me to be academic dean and still be a productive faculty member." --James Ware, dean for academic affairs
"Ann is a remarkable source of knowledge. She is the ultimate holder of institutional memory at HSPH--whenever I have a question about procedure or history, I turn to Ann. She has impeccable judgment." --Joseph Brain, Cecil K. and Philip Drinker professor of environmental physiology and chair, Department of Environmental Health
"One of my favorite memories of Ann comes from last fall: when the facts of Monicagate were coming out, Ann decided to play bookie for a group of us. We placed bets on how long we thought Clinton would remain in office. Unfortunately, she lost the slip on which she had written all the bets, so I think that was her last attempt at being a bookie." --Paul Riccardi, associate dean for operations
"One of the things about Ann is that she doesn't read fiction. She's a voracious reader of nonfiction, but she simply isn't interested in fiction. I've been trying for years to get her to read a novel, but I haven't had any luck. Despite her reluctance to read fiction, she's been dedicated to the faculty and very helpful to us whenever we have problems or concerns. I liked going to her office to talk. She has a great, dry sense of humor. We'll all miss her." --John David, Richard Pearson Strong professor of tropical public health
Congratulations to Ann for 24 successful years at the school and best wishes for retirement!
