Dean of Admissions retires

By Liz Wagner
Collegian Editor
February 20, 2008

La Salle’s Dean of Admissions Bob Voss announced his retirement Feb. 7. Jim Plunkett will be taking the position of Executive Director in Voss’ place.

According to an announcement released Feb. 12, Voss spent 38 years working in various college admission offices, and “has certainly earned the rewards of retirement.” The announcement also stated that Vice President of Enrollment Services John Dolan named Plunkett to his new position that went into effect immediately.

“Jim had been the number two [in Admissions] for 10 years,” Dolan said. “When Bob said he wanted to retire, [Plunkett] was an obvious choice. Plunkett’s a great guy; he was trained and mentored by Bob.”

While Admissions is rearranging the workload, Dolan indicated the department would be utilizing existing Admissions student workers as “Admissions interns” who will take on some of the duties of an admissions counselor.

Dolan went on to say Voss actually wrote his own press release, saying, “He just really wanted to write it in his words.”

In the release, Voss mentioned his accomplishments with the admissions program and noted the smooth transition from Voss to Plunkett as head of admissions.

Voss expressed disinterest in having a celebration to commemorate his time at La Salle.

“Behind the scenes I was pushing for an event … but he just wasn’t very comfortable with that,” Dolan said.

Dolan refuted rumors that Voss was fired or forced to resign. Other administrators such as Plunkett and President Brother Michael McGinniss declined to comment on the situation because the university does not “comment on personnel matters for the news media.”

There was some question as to whether the decrease in admissions for the class of 2011 played some part in Voss’ decision to retire. This sentiment was not expressed by any administrator, and Dolan seems optimistic in an increased admissions rate for the class of 2012.

“We have 5,000 applications this year for about 820 spots. It’s just wild this year,” he said, before indicating that this year the national high school graduating class is the largest in history.

wagnere1@lasalle.edu