Vandals to celebrate Pitman’s retirement
In honor of retiring Dean of Students and Vice Provost of Student Affairs Bruce Pitman, the Idaho State Board of Education voted Thursday to officially rename the University of Idaho Student Union Building “Pitman Center.”
Bruce Pitman
Pitman said he was unaware of the behind-the-scenes plan to rename the SUB after him, and had little words to describe the emotions running through him late Thursday afternoon.
“I’m very surprised,” he said. “Absolutely a surprise. (My family) and I were very pleased and we exchanged some hugs.”
After serving UI for more than 40 years, Pitman will retire this semester — but not without a bang. Pitman’s Retirement Celebration will take place from 4 to 7:30 p.m. Friday on the SprinTurf next to the Kibbie Dome.
“It’s bittersweet,” Pitman said. “I’m very grateful to the university’s President’s Office and Alumni Office for including this retirement activity with Homecoming activities.”
Tim Helmke, associate director of Alumni Relations, said he wanted to help plan for the retirement celebration because he has looked to Pitman for advice and friendship for more than a decade.
“There were a couple times we were put in some situations in dealing with repercussions of student activities, that let’s say were a little graphic,” Helmke said about his time as chapter advisor for Alpha Kappa Lambda. “The experience, even though at the moment might have been uncomfortable … we helped each other get through what would have otherwise been a really difficult situation and I think with any other dean of students it wouldn’t have been as easy for me.”
Helmke’s tall tale of Pitman is one of hundreds among UI students, alumni, staff, faculty, community members and friends.
Helmke, a member of the committee charged with planning the party, said he and Kevin Ketchie of President’s Office and Jeanne Stevenson from Academic Affairs teamed up to deliver a farewell celebration for Pitman that already has more than 400 confirmed attendees.
“We knew it was going to be as big as it’s turning into,” Helmke said. “It’s definitely paying honor to all Bruce and Kathy have done for the university and this is our chance to sort of highlight them and thank them for what they’ve done.”
In keeping with “the Bruce Pitman way of doing things,” he said the celebration will be festive and give Pitman the chance to reunite with the former students, colleagues and friends he has worked with over the years.
“Alumni and students from each of the former decades he was here will speak,” Helmke said. “We’ve identified somebody who’s going to talk about the 70s, 80s, 90s, 2000s and the 2010s.”
Pitman said while he’s overwhelmed at the thought of being the center of attention, he’s excited to reconnect with old friends.
In addition to professional guests, Pitman’s family will accompany him. Helmke said Pitman’s daughter will speak about her father’s dedication to his university and family. There will be appearances by multiple spirit groups on campus, including the Vandaleers, Vandal Marching Band and Vandal Spirit Squad.
While not exclusively tied to Homecoming Weekend, Helmke said the committee decided this weekend would work best because of the influx of Vandal alumni and friends to the Palouse.
“We were looking at good time where we’d have a good number of alumni and friends back on campus and in looking at Homecoming,” he said. “It was the time that a lot of people would be back in town and we knew a lot of alumni would want to be at the celebration.”
Pitman’s Homecoming Weekend won’t stop there. Helmke said Pitman was chosen as this year’s Grand Marshal for the Homecoming Parade.
“It’s my understanding that Tim Helmke and others who are organizing Homecoming are inviting my entire family to be on the little float,” Pitman said. “My kids who are all Vandals, each have graduated from here, will be on the float as well so it will be a family event.”
Over the last few weeks, UI welcomed four candidates vying for Pitman’s position to campus. Although his successor has not yet been chosen, Helmke said Pitman’s legacy at UI is irreplaceable.
“He’s leaving big shoes to fill,” he said. “It’s highly respected that he’s staying on to train the new person and that’s unheard of in this world — usually people just move on — but he’s moving on in style.”
Amber Emery can be reached at [email protected]