When MSU Residence Halls Association began nominations for next year’s president on Feb. 11, a nomination for current president Mark Dobson caused a roar of laughter from the assembly and an ear-to-ear grin from Dobson. After almost three years as RHA president, it seemed as though the Spanish and political theory and constitutional democracy senior would never leave the organization. But since Dobson, a Trenton, Mich., native is set to graduate this May, RHA will have a new president for the first time since November 2006.
“There are times when I’m like, ‘Boy, I’ll be glad when it’s over,’” Dobson said. “And there are times when I’m like, ‘I’m really going to miss this.’ It’s bittersweet.”
RHA’s presidential election is tonight, but the president elect won’t take office until April 8. There are three candidates for president: RHA Vice President Kevin Fleury, Communications Coordinator Emma Perot and Director of RHA TV Scott Bishop.
“All of the candidates are looking at the void (Dobson) will leave,” Fleury said. “Having a meeting without mentioning Mark is going to be impossible.”
Dobson first joined RHA in 2005 during his sophomore year as a representative for Wilson Hall.
When elections were held in spring 2006, Dobson decided to run for vice president, but didn’t have high hopes.
“Everyone still wonders how I pulled it off,” he said. “I was really inexperienced and what people feared the most is if I had to take over as president.”
Possibility became reality when Dobson was bumped up to president in November 2006. His predecessor, Lindsay Palinsky, stepped down because of personal reasons.
Dobson credited his ability to get through his first term to his fellow officers, who helped him deal with the workload.
“The one thing with this job, in all my years, you surround yourself with really great people,” he said. “We always joke that a lot of people work hard but I get to take all the credit.”
Dobson said since he took over, RHA has gained strength as a voice for students.
“What I’m most proud to have been a part of is the way that we’re able to represent the students living in the residence halls,” he said.
Paul Goldblatt, MSU director of Residence Life and adviser to RHA for the past five years, said Dobson has helped RHA to expand its role in the eyes of the university.
“RHA has been a member of many decisions MSU has made, and I don’t think (RHA) would have been included without him,” Goldblatt said. “He’s made MSU better for students.”
The ability to not take a stance on an issue can be hard for most college students, but Dobson said he finds it vital for his position.
“A lot of student leaders see an issue and want to raise that issue and get upset about it,” he said. “What I prefer to do is really get the backstory. Let’s get a consistent answer across the university. Let’s see what the long-term solutions are.”
Dobson’s problem solving has been noted and appreciated by administration.
“He has questioned administrative policy but done it in an appropriate matter,” Goldblatt said.
Dobson’s devotion to RHA earned statewide recognition when he was named President of the Year by the Michigan Organization of Residence Hall Associations, or MORHA, on Feb. 14.
“I jokingly called it my lifetime achievement award,” he said. “For MORHA to recognize me, it was really flattering and I’m real honored by it.”
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While the end of his term marks the end of an era, Dobson said he is confident RHA will continue strong long after he’s gone.
“The names and the faces change, but a lot of it stays the same,” he said. “It’s going to be a good transition, no matter who is elected.”
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