Dale Austin, director of career services at Hope College, has been named recipient of the college's eighth annual "Vanderbush-Weller Development Fund" award for strong, positive impact on students.
Dale Austin, director of career services at Hope College, has been named recipient of the college's eighth annual "Vanderbush-Weller Development Fund" award for strong, positive impact on students.
The award recognizes and supports the efforts of Hope faculty and staff who make extraordinary contributions to the lives of students. Austin will be recognized during a luncheon held on Friday, May 4, in conjunction with the spring meeting of the college's Board of Trustees.
"Dale is a remarkable friend of students and an unsung treasure of the Hope College experience," said Dr. Richard Frost, vice president and dean of students at Hope, whose office coordinates the award, which is presented based on nominations from the campus community. "He walks with them on their journey as they search for meaning and their calling, provides guidance in preparing to launch a career and provides wisdom as they seek to sort through the options that are presented to them upon graduation."
Austin has been with the Office of Career Services at Hope since 1981, serving as director since 1987. The office helps students map out their future career plans, with its involvement ranging from helping students match their interests with courses of study and potential careers, to assisting them with their job search.
Austin provides individual advising and workshops addressing job search issues, resumes and cover letters, credential preparation issues and interview preparation, and simulated interviews for all fields. He also works with employers, coordinating the college's on-campus recruiting programs and a variety of career fairs. He is also the college's primary liaison with several collaborative ventures, including Job Pursuit and as the executive chair for the Liberal Arts Career NetWORK (28 highly selective liberal arts colleges) and West Michigan Collegiate Career Services.
He holds a bachelor's degree from Central Michigan University, where he majored in psychology and religious studies, and completed his master's degree in college student personnel administration at Michigan State University.
The "Vanderbush-Weller Development Fund" was established in honor of longtime Hope professor and football coach Alvin Vanderbush, who retired in 1972 and died on Feb. 20, 2005. It was created by Ken and Shirely Weller of Pella, Iowa. Ken Weller is one of Vanderbush's former players and also a former Hope faculty colleague.