Lunch with Len
Student development is more than a job
for Leonard Goldberg-it is his lifestyle.
BY KARL RHODES
Editor, Richmond Alumni Magazine
When Dr. Len Goldberg arrived on campus in 1987, he was eager to meet the students. He was also hungry. His wife, Penny, was the primary cook in his family, and she was still in Pennsylvania selling the house while their children finished the school year.
"I took out a meal contract for the dining hall, and I've kept it up ever since," says Goldberg, Richmond's vice president for student development. "I think the students appreciate the fact that I am willing to join them frequently in conversation about their lives, their interests and their views of the University. That has proven to be a very good decision."
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Len Goldberg has been enjoying lunch with students in the dining hall for 19 years. |
Eating lunch with students in the dining hall will be a hard habit to break because Goldberg views his role as a lifestyle-not just a job. He loves the students, and they return that affection. Some are even following his career path.
"I have had the pleasure of staying in touch with Dr. Goldberg as I myself have pursued a career in higher education administration," says Kelly Gribbin, '02, coordinator of the first-year experience at DePaul University. "Dr. Goldberg has provided me with the same support, advocacy, mentorship and availability that I so appreciated from him as an undergraduate."
Goldberg earned master's and doctoral degrees in higher education administration from Ohio State University, Gribbin notes. "So it was no coincidence that I too became a Buckeye. I only hope that in time, I will impact students the way Dr. Goldberg has for so many years."
Embracing wellness
Goldberg watches the construction of the Weinstein Center for Recreation and Wellness with a strong sense of satisfaction. The University broke ground for the building in May 2005, but Goldberg's efforts to promote wellness go back to his earliest days in the dining hall.
When he arrived at Richmond, the Robins Center housed huge locker rooms and laundry facilities to support required physical education classes. Goldberg noticed that those facilities were underutilized because most students reported to P.E. wearing their own sports garb. So he converted some of that space into the University's first recreation facility, which opened in 1989 under the direction of Tom Roberts.
"Len has always been a strong advocate for recreation and wellness programs and facilities," Roberts says. "He embraced wellness years ago when other administrators refused to accept and recognize wellness."
Goldberg noticed another critical need at the University's health center, which employed a physician just one hour a day, five days a week. Students clearly needed more medical attention, so Goldberg obtained permission to hire a half-time physician.
"There were questions about whether we could ever find someone who would want to take the job," he recalls. "Then one day, Lynne Deane walked in and said, 'Dr. Goldberg, I hear you're looking for a physician. . but I'm not looking for a job, I'm looking for a relationship with the University.'"
That is exactly what Goldberg wanted to hear. He hired her and later promoted her to full-time medical director. In the meantime, students started using the health center more as they gained confidence in its ability to provide better care. Deane could not keep up with the growing demand, so Goldberg hired a second doctor, Alene Waller.
Finding inspiration
Goldberg's inspiration comes from students-particularly those who struggle daily with profound disabilities.
"I have never met any of those students here who have felt sorry for themselves," he marvels. "They have all been so positive. . It's really helpful to have people like that who are role models for other students who have had almost every privilege imaginable but get frustrated over trivial setbacks."
Even in retirement, Goldberg worries about overanxious students and overprotective parents. He plans to teach a class next fall in the School of Continuing Studies for parents who are preparing to send their children to college.
"I want to take some of the initial mystery out of admission and financial aid, but more important, I want to help them deal with their children growing up and growing away," Goldberg says. "We need to help our students become independent."
In addition to teaching, Goldberg wants to try some new things "that are way outside the box," such as using puppets to teach young children and entertain senior citizens. He's even learning a few card tricks from Justin Cross, '07.
"It's strange being a guy in his 60s looking to an early 20-something as a mentor," Goldberg says, "but it's fun and tends to keep one young! That's one of the best reasons for working at a university with very bright students."
Cross also sees Goldberg as his mentor. "He's a remarkable man-a genuine guy, a real leader."
Goldberg says he will not renew his meal contract next semester. Even so, he plans to drop by the dining hall for an occasional lunch. He has grown fond of the Greek wedding cookies-not to mention the students.
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