Andrea Scott, longtime director of the Graduate School's Office of Admissions, retires this week after 37 years of service to the University of Minnesota. Colleagues and friends gathered at the Weisman Art Museum May 13 to bid her farewell and celebrate her career.

"Andrea has shaped graduate education in Minnesota as well as nationally and internationally, not only because the University draws large numbers of students from around the world but because she has become one of the top graduate admissions directors in the country," said Graduate School dean and vice provost Gail Dubrow.

Tributes to her leadership and inspiration came from colleagues across the University and around the country. Former dean Robert Holt, former interim dean Victor Bloomfield, and former associate dean Ted Labuza attended and gave remarks. Former dean and vice president Chris Maziar sent a message from her current position at the University of Notre Dame.

"Andrea nearly achieved sainthood through martyrdom during the PeopleSoft implementation of the student systems," Maziar wrote. She credited Scott with persistence and courage for not only diagnosing serious problems but teaming up with colleagues at the University of Wisconsin to develop work-around solutions that ultimately benefited many large institutions.

The digital age had barely begun when Scott joined the University of Minnesota in 1971. She served in the undergraduate admissions office for two years, in charge of day-to-day operations for the Martin Luther King Program. In 1973, she was hired as an assistant to the dean of the Graduate School, and in 1994, she was named director of admissions. Under nine deans and six University presidents, Scott navigated the Graduate School through the advent of the Internet, the adoption of PeopleSoft systems and online admissions, the transition from quarters to semesters, budget crises, and the highly competitive landscape of international student recruitment that emerged in the wake of 9/11. Today, the Graduate School Admissions Office receives more than 13,000 applications for each fall semester and admits more than 4,500 students, of whom about 2,500 enroll. Scott has also played a significant role in the National Association of Graduate Admissions Professionals (NAGAP).

A lasting legacy of Scott's dedication to the University came through her service on the committee that selected and retained Frank Gehry as the architect for the Weisman Art Museum on campus, in which the celebration was held. Museum director Lyndel King recognized Scott for her vision and leadership for the arts over many years.

Scott is an alumna of the University of Michigan and will retire to Ann Arbor with her husband. Despite remaining a loyal Michigan fan, at Minnesota she has been a big fan of Goldy Gopher.

"To assist you in your ongoing identity crisis and recognize your dual citizenship, we'd like to provide you with a companion for the next chapter on your journey," said assistant to the director Dean Tsantir, who presented Scott with a Goldy Gopher dresssed in Michigan's blue and maize.

Many colleagues and campus leaders attended the event and contributed to a memory book.

- Gayla Marty

FURTHER READING

New director of Graduate School admissions is named: Tsantir to begin June 9

Graduate School admissions

The Graduate School, established in 1905, offers more than 140 majors through programs on the Twin Cities, Duluth, and Rochester campuses. It is part of the Office of the Senior Vice President and Provost, with central offices located on the Twin Cities campus.