Author: Hillary Alexander
On June 6, Bill Tingley, who retired last January from his position of 12 years as Vice President of Admission and Financial Aid, and archivist for the College Jean Paule, who has held numerous administrative positions since 1950, became the first recipients of the newly created Presidential Medal for Distinguished Service to the College. In order to commemorate this honor, President Veitch commissioned Highland Park blacksmith Heather McLarty to create the modern 10 foot by 25 foot copper frieze currently outside of the Arthur G. Coons Administrative Center.
The award, created by President Veitch, recognizes administrators who have had a major impact on or have given extraordinary service to the College. “Jean Paule has taken taken care of our past, and Bill Tingley has taken care of our future,” President Veitch said.
Tingley’s colleagues reiterate his influential role in the Admissions and Financial Aid offices. “[Tingley] planted seeds with every class that was admitted,” Occidental Director of Communications Jim Tranquada said, “[seeds] that have grown since freshman year.”
Tranquada quoted President Veitch in a press release concerning the award for the Occidental website. President Veitch stated that under Tingley’s leadership, the school experienced a 222 percent increase in applications and a significant increase in the quality and diversity of admitted students. The bronze plaque commemorating Tingley resides in the center of the display and bears his name and contribution to the school.
Paule served as executive secretary to then-President Arthur G. Coons and his successor Richard Gillman for 36 years. Today, she works as the volunteer archivist for the College, a job that she has held since 1996. “One of the most common sayings on campus is, ‘Ask Jean. She’ll know,'” Veitch said.
Her bronze plaque resides on the far right corner of the display. Paule’s plaque is in the shape of an open book. On the left page is her name and a quill, and on the right page is a list of her services to the school. According to President Veitch in Tranquada’s press release, “[Paule] is truly an Occidental institution, whose record of service is unmatched, and whose work ethic, integrity and professional skills continue to benefit the College today.”
The frieze was designed in a modernist style to reflect the modern architecture of the Administrative Center. It was forged, laid out and assembled last May after the academic year concluded.
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