Anita Stalter, Academic Dean at Goshen College since 2001, will be retiring at the end of this school year. Stalter has been at GC for nearly 27 years, serving as a professor and a department chair before her time as academic dean.

Stalter came to Goshen College in 1987, and during her first two years she spent half of her time in the teacher education department. The rest of her time was spent starting a school for patients at Oaklawn Psychiatric Center in Goshen.

“I knew I would miss teaching,” said Stalter, “but I liked the administrative work, especially working with faculty and curriculum development.”

Even though the shift from being part of the faculty to being an administrator was difficult at first, the faculty made the transition smoother. And many of Stalter’s colleagues have appreciated her just as much as she appreciated them.

“It has been an honor to serve alongside Anita,” said GC President Jim Brenneman. “Her many years of service at Goshen College as a professor, department chair and academic dean have provided the lived wisdom, good counsel and balanced continuity that will be truly missed. Her listening ear, tenacious spirit, compassionate leadership and sense of humor have been a blessing to me, the President’s Council, indeed, to the whole college.”

Becky Horst, interim registrar said, “Anita is passionate about embracing and learning from diversity. She has a big heart. She wants what is best for Goshen College and for every person who works or studies here,” she said. “One thing I will miss is her classy/funky clothing and jewelry. She wears things that would never occur to me, but they look great on her.”

“Anita has been a wonderful advocate for faculty,” said Beth Martin Birky, professor of English and women’s and gender studies at Goshen College. “She is a calm and patient leader.”

Stalter plans to spend the next year spending time with her three grandchildren, traveling and living a little less stressful life.

“I’ll miss people the most: colleagues and students,” said Stalter. “The intellectual stimulation of the job, its creativity and the gifts that students bring creates such a rich environment that I’ve been lucky to have been a part of.”