William P. Schimpf, Fairfield University's Vice President of Student Services, has announced his plan to retire effective Jan. 1, 2006.

Schimpf has headed the division since his appointment as Dean of Students in 1969 and during that time served four presidents. In a letter to University President Jeffrey von Arx, S.J., Schimpf said, "I am particularly appreciative of the opportunity that you, Fr. George Mahan, Fr. William McInnes, Fr. Thomas Fitzgerald and Fr. Aloysius Kelley have given me, allowing me to be a member of this wonderful and purposeful community.

"I count among my friends students, staff members and faculty whom I have had the pleasure of working with over the past 37 years. I am particularly proud of the student leaders, graduate assistants and young professionals who have developed into leaders in the student affairs profession."

Upon learning of Schimpf's decision, Father von Arx said, "Bill Schimpf's 37 years of service to Fairfield University are remarkable. The changes in both the student population and the field of student life that he has experienced have been extraordinary and, through it all, Bill has devoted his energy to ensuring that we at Fairfield were prepared to take advantage of the opportunities and meet the many challenges that these changes brought. Bill Schimpf has been a devoted servant to this University and he will be missed."

Prior to coming to Fairfield, Schimpf worked at the University of Connecticut and in the office of the Dean of Men at the Pennsylvania State University while enrolled in a graduate program there.

During Schimpf's tenure at Fairfield, he has greeted 37 freshmen classes, and has had responsibility for the "outside of the classroom" experiences of 30,350 undergraduates.

He played a major role in the University's transition to co-education and has been responsible for an increase in the residence hall capacity by 1,380 beds as well as a major expansion of the hub of student activity, the John A. Barone Campus Center.

The Division of Student Services includes programming and offices for new student orientation, recreation, public safety, career planning, judicial proceedings, residence life and housing, counseling and health services, student academic support services, multi-cultural relations, student transportation and the StagCard.

Cognizant of the need to improve town gown relations, Schimpf impaneled a task force that recommended applying the student handbook policies and rules of conduct to students living off campus and created a position to monitor student activities at Fairfield Beach. These actions, coupled with the addition of the on-campus apartment complex, have significantly improved the town gown relations in the beach area.

In his role as division head, Schimpf chairs the University Crisis Management Team. He also is co-chair of the University Business Continuity Planning Group.

In activity beyond the campus, Schimpf is a member of the Fairfield Rotary Club and was its president. He also served as president of the Fairfield Chamber of Commerce and was appointed to the Connecticut State Police Advisory Committee by Governor William O'Neill. He is a former board member for the Boys and Girls Club of Bridgeport, is a member of the 100 Club of Connecticut and was named a Paul Harris Fellow in recognition for his service to the community.

Professionally, he is a member of the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators and the Jesuit Association of Student Personnel Administrators where he served a term as president. He received the Victor Yanitelli award for outstanding service to the profession of student personnel in Jesuit higher education.

Schimpf is also a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Fairfield, where he has been ordained an elder, has chaired the pastoral nominating committee, has served as president of the corporation and is a Sunday school teacher.

Posted On: 11-01-2005 10:11 AM

Volume: 23 Number: 1