Bill Flanagan, executive assistant to the college president (Photo by Trevor Johnson'08)

Through a 31-year history at Beloit, Dean of Students Bill Flanagan has guided two generations of students. When he was a relatively new dean, he offered support and advice to ’80s and ’90s era students, cheering them on as they took to the field, the podium, or the stage. Later, he did the same for many of their children, when they came to Beloit and also found a friend in Flanagan.

In 2005, Beloit’s Alumni Association made him an honorary alumnus.

“When I speak with alumni, they talk in reverential terms about the multiple roles Bill has played in their successes—while at Beloit and in their careers after Beloit,” says President Bierman.

In recognition of these extensive ties, Bierman has tapped Flanagan to become executive advisor to the president, a new post that will have him assisting Bierman in reaching out to alumni.

“I’m working on reconnecting with alumni so they can see the direction we’re going in and understand Scott Bierman’s vision,” Flanagan explains.

Ruth Vater'05, senior director of alumni and parent relations (Photo by Trevor Johnson'08)

For the spring 2011 semester, Flanagan has “one foot in both camps,” but after a new dean of students is named, he’ll step fully into his new position. Already, he’s begun getting the word out to alumni about college initiatives on a number of fronts, from an NCAA-approved track renovation project at Strong Stadium, to the addition of a lacrosse program for men and women.

Flanagan’s new role coincides with new leadership in the Alumni Office. Ruth Vater’05 returned to campus in January to become senior director of Alumni and Parent Relations. In addition to working with alumni, she will develop ways to recognize, support, and forge stronger ties to Beloit parents.

For the past three years, Vater has served as a consultant with Bates White, LLC in Washington, D.C., an economic consulting firm. Prior to that, she was Beloit’s assistant director of annual giving. While still a student, she co-founded and chartered the college’s Habitat for Humanity chapter and helped lead a campaign that raised $60,000 to build Beloit’s first college-sponsored house.

Vater and Flanagan worked together closely on the Habitat project. “Ruth is one of my all-time favorites,” Flanagan says. “I’m thrilled that she’s come back to Beloit.”