This year marks the thirtieth year that Dr. Richard Piper has provided his dedicated service as advisor to Student Government. In this time, he has seen executive boards come and go, student leaders develop and continue on to successful careers in the real world, and the organization evolve into what it has become today ‘- a source of service for the students of the University of Tampa.
In order to thank Dr. Piper for his dedication and show him how his role as advisor has influenced and inspired countless students, we have contacted many of the people who he has worked with, guided, and inspired through four decades at UT. The responses provided by his colleagues, alumni, and current students who work with him in SG all expressed a similar message ‘- that Dr. Piper has been a vital asset not just to Student Government and the students the organization serves but to the entire university community for the past thirty years.
Many faculty and administrators who have known and worked with Dr. Piper for a number of years expressed copious praise for him. Some worked with Dr. Piper as advisors to SG, while others were simply able to see the important and influential role that Dr. Piper has played in helping guide students towards making the right decisions.
Vice-President for Operations and Planning Linda Devine says, ‘Dr. Piper was one of the first faculty members that I worked with at UT. ‘ In 1983, I was appointed director of student activities, and he was advising SG, and, along with an office secretary, that was the extent of professional support. ‘ SG was both a governmental body as well as a programming board, and at times those roles were in conflict. ‘ I have great memories of working with Dr. Piper: we hosted several U.S. Presidential candidates for the 1984 election (John Glenn and Jesse Jackson come to mind), and he helped to ‘talk down’ an SG President who threatened to not deliver an internationally known person to a campus event because of a dispute in funding and scheduling! Throughout the craziness, Dr. Piper was the source of sanity. ‘ I admire his wisdom, his obvious affection for his work with students, and his 30 year commitment that remains fresh and contemporary.’
Dean of Students Bob Ruday, who also served with Dr. Piper as co-advisor to Student Government for a number of years, said that Dr. Piper’s ‘guidance to the students were greatly appreciated by them and his insights helped the students in their’ desire to be the voice of the students.’
Joseph Sclafani, interim dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, added, ‘It is difficult to think about SG without Dr. Piper.’ His has been a steady and moderating influence in the student governance operations at UT.’ Dr. Piper has also provided a continuity and historical context for the work that is done today.’ Dr. Sclafani also noted that despite a fluctuating interest by students in the organization, Dr. Piper’s role as advisor has kept the organization running despite the highs and the lows.
Dr. Piper’s service to the
Former SG president Joe Wessel, who now serves on the Board of Trustees through his position of President of the National Alumni Association, said, ‘Dr. Piper always supported the ideas that the SG Board and I had, and then would assist us in the implementation.’ He was kind and patient, especially with me, in counseling and providing advice without preaching.’ Dr. Piper was, and still is, a dedicated servant of the servants of the student body.’
April Gillespie, SG president in 2003-2004, says, ‘Dr. Piper was and remains to be a wonderful asset to Student Government.’ He was especially involved when it came to constitutional’ changes during my term as Student Government president.’ I appreciated his commitment to the organization.’ I also had the opportunity to know Dr. Piper in his role as Director of the Honors Program.’ He has developed a program that appeals to’ all majors’ and allows students to choose classes that are of interest to them.” ‘
Paco Perez, who succeeded Gillespie as president, worked with Dr. Piper both through SG and also in the classroom. He says, ‘I would like to thank Dr. Piper for his commitment to all UT students during my four years at UT. From day one he was motivating us to join the Honors Program, Student Government, Independent Research Fellowship Program, and excel in our studies. As SG advisor he was always there to give support in terms of experience, wisdom, and empowerment. As a professor he inspired me to reach for my dreams and today as a law student and an intern at US Embassy Lisbon I am still guided by the worldview I received in (his) Honor’s Political Revolutions. My message to all current UT students is this: take advantage of your opportunities and gain every nugget of knowledge you can from professors like Dr. Piper who will teach you how to be all around better human beings!’
Current Student Government President Andrew Madock has worked with Dr. Piper for the past year. He says, ‘Dr. Piper has given his valuable time and knowledge to UT Student Government for thirty years; his support and dedication is admirable.’ Everyone that has interacted with Dr. Piper has gained a new understanding of the inner workings of a growing university. Dr. Piper allows students to realize their true potential.’ Simply, he is a resource, a role-model, and a friend to the university community.’
Alison Mathe, Student Government President-elect, offered this assessment as she prepares to work with Dr. Piper for the next year. The first faculty member that I met at UT was Dr. Piper, immediately he inspired all of his Gateways students to become involved at the University.‘ A strong advocate of Student Government, he encouraged us to go to some of the meetings and is the reason I became involved with SG.‘ He is not only an excellent advisor of academics, but also the dedica
ted faculty advisor for Student Government.‘ Dr. Piper serves not only as an advisor, but also as a mentor and an individual that every student looks up to and admires.‘ He has given some of the best advice and guidance that a student could ever ask for.‘ After devoting his Tuesday nights to Student Government for the past 30 years, we can only begin to imagine the influence that Dr. Piper will continue to have on Student Government as our advisor, mentor, and friend.’
It is clear that Dr. Piper has inspired and assisted countless students through his service over the past thirty years, and Student Government, on behalf of the entire student body, is extremely grateful and indebted to Dr. Piper for all he has done for the students of the
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