Elissa Collopy
eac001@marietta.edu
Vice President for Student Life Dr. Pastoor is leaving behind a legacy at Marietta College while he starts a new journey at St. Joseph’s College serving as their 18th president.
“It’s an opportunity I couldn’t pass up and I’m looking forward to the challenges ahead,” Pastoor said. “But I’ll miss the people, there’s no doubt about that.”
Pastoor’s last day will be March 16, where Dr. Richard Danford will fill his role as VP for Student Life and Diversity.
St. Joseph’s College is a Catholic school in Indiana, and Pastoor’s career previous to MC has always been in Catholic Institutions. Pastoor said this was one of the things that really attracted him there.
“It was an opportunity for me to get back into that [practice] —I’m a firm believer that things happen for the right reason,” he said.
Leaving an institution is always bittersweet, Pastoor said. He has been the VP for Student Life since 2010 and has been involved with bridging gaps between academic affairs and student affairs.
“That was a goal of mine when I first got here and I think we’ve accomplished a lot of that,” he said.
Pastoor also taught the Intro to Leadership course for the McDonough leadership program. Several students, including junior Lauren Morain, knew him best as a professor.
“He has helped shape what the leadership program is and I’m so thankful for what he has done for that and for me indirectly,” Morain said.
Senior Karl Grant, a student of Pastoor’s, said his favorite memories are of Pastoor teaching his freshman leadership class.
“Dr. Perucci became the interim provost so [Pastoor] stepped in to fill the leadership professor role—I thought he did really well and he’s incredibly funny,” Grant said.
Morain said she is excited for him, but that he will be missed.
“He has had such an impact on the leadership program and on campus as a whole,” she said. “That being said, I’m so excited for him to take a position that will allow him to accomplish more and branch out.”
Pastoor‘s focus as VP was on all aspects that impacted students success and overall experience.
“I’m leaving with a very positive opinion of Marietta,” he said. “My time here at Marietta has been a blessing to me and my family.”
