The Observer, April 22, 2005
Volume XXXVII, Issue 26
Retiring Dean Robinson honored for service to Case
Margaret Robinson, the dean of Undergraduate Studies, was honored at a reception Tuesday afternoon in recognition of her upcoming retirement from the university. Robinson announced earlier in the semester that she will leave Case on June 30.
Vice provost Don Feke presided over the 4 p.m. reception in Hovorka Atrium, which drew a crowd largely composed of faculty members and administrators.
"Margi's successor will truly have large shoes to fill," Feke said. "It is likely that hundreds of students have been transformed by her."
After Feke's opening comments, current and past students who had worked with Robinson came to the podium to offer their testimonials.
"She encouraged students to challenge themselves and make the most of [their] four years as an undergrad," said senior Ashraf Sabe, who sat on a committee with Robinson in the University Undergraduate Faculty.
Senior Christina Bodner applied for Churchill and Marshall scholarships through the Office of Undergraduate Studies. "Dean Robinson has been my coach, in a way, through this whole senior experience," she said.
In her 31 years at Case, Robinson has seen some of the students she advised as undergraduates rise to higher positions at the university.
"I now think of myself as one of Margi's kids," said university registrar Amy Hammett, who attended Case in the 1980s.
Weatherhead professor Sandy Piderit worked as Robinson's TA when Robinson was a professor in the math department here. "She demonstrates an intuitive ability to recognize talent and draw it here to Case, and that's a managerial gift," Piderit said.
During her remarks at the reception, Robinson thanked the various groups of people who supported her in her career in higher education, including her husband, retired Case physics professor Keith Robinson.
"I need to thank my family, because through all of this they've been so supportive," she said.
She also expressed gratitude to her supervisors for allowing her to try new programs, and noted that working with students and faculty kept her job interesting.
Robinson also offered her thoughts on the future of Case as an institution.
"I've seen many identity crises and reorganizations," she said. "I think we are right now… poised in a position when people will come and say, 'Wow, this is a great place.'"
On the personal side, Robinson said that she was looking forward to having time to travel, practice music, and learn languages, and spend time with grandchildren in her retirement. She noted, though, that she will remain on campus through the end of June.
"I only live a mile away. I'm not leaving town," she said.
