Seven student-athletes joined UToledo Interim President Matt Schroeder and other administrators for dinner and conversation at the Maumee Bay Brewing Company last week in the latest edition of “Dining with the Deans.”
Rockets Share Dinner and Conversation with UToledo Interim President Matt Schroeder
9/25/2024 8:25:00 AM | Athletics
“Dining With the Deans” is a recurring event that brings together University leaders and Rocket Student-Athletes in an informal setting
TOLEDO, Ohio – Seven student-athletes took advantage of an opportunity to exchange ideas, share their academic experiences, and enjoy a meal with UToledo Interim President Matt Schroeder at the Maumee Bay Brewing Company last week in the latest edition of "Dining with the Deans."
Dining with the Deans, hosted by the Student Athlete Support Services Office, provides an opportunity for Toledo student-athletes to meet with University deans and other leaders in an informal dining setting. In addition to the student-athletes, several Athletics staff attended as well, including Vice President and Director of Athletics Bryan B. Blair, Executive Associate Athletic Director Nicole Alderson, Director of Student-Athlete Development Traci Korte, Faculty Athletics Representative Kim Nigem and Senior Associate Athletic Director for Student Athlete Experience Dr. Eugene Henderson. Also attending was Katie DeBenedictis, Chief of Staff and AVP for University Board Affairs.
"I am grateful for the invitation to attend Dining with the Deans and to gain insight into the experiences of our student-athletes at The University of Toledo," said Schroeder. "I was truly inspired by their passion for both their sports and academics, as well as their commitment to the Toledo community. These remarkable individuals proudly represent Rocket Nation both in the classroom and in competition. They all have the Power to Do great things and I look forward to watching them all succeed."
"This was a unique opportunity for our student-athletes to voice their experiences and ideas for improving the University," added Henderson. "The connections forged during this dinner will not only enrich their time at the University of Toledo but also foster a lasting dialogue that drives positive change."
The seven student-athletes attending the dinner were Logan Danzeisen (Baseball/ MBA-Finance), Olivia Dault (Women's Soccer/Marketing and Professional Sales), Aubrey Duhaime (Women's Cross Country and Track & Field/ Marketing), Emilio Duran (Football/ Recreational Therapy), Geoff Howles (Men's Cross Country/ MBA-Finance), Nan Garcia (Women's Basketball/ MBA-Leadership) and Javan Simmons (Men's Basketball/ Media Communication).
"Dining with the Deans was a great experience. I felt honored to be there to interact and get to know our school's leaders as well as engage with other student-athletes," said Dault. "The key takeaway was the genuine interest our leaders have in listening to student-athletes and demonstrating their commitment to enhancing the experience for all students. This interaction highlighted their dedication to our well-being and the betterment of the University as a whole. It is very special to have faculty and administration that take the time to hear the needs of the students directly to provide necessary changes, and that's exactly what we have at The University of Toledo."
"This experience allowed me to further see faculty and administrators at the University Toledo as approachable and relatable," added Simmons. "It was good to converse with them and get to know them and the other student-athletes better as well. The impact it had was tremendous as it showed me that The University of Toledo truly does care for us not only as athletes but as humans."
The event marked the seventh time Dining with the Deans has occurred between the athletic department and university leaders over the past two-plus academic years. A total of 47 student-athletes have participated in these events.
Dining with the Deans, hosted by the Student Athlete Support Services Office, provides an opportunity for Toledo student-athletes to meet with University deans and other leaders in an informal dining setting. In addition to the student-athletes, several Athletics staff attended as well, including Vice President and Director of Athletics Bryan B. Blair, Executive Associate Athletic Director Nicole Alderson, Director of Student-Athlete Development Traci Korte, Faculty Athletics Representative Kim Nigem and Senior Associate Athletic Director for Student Athlete Experience Dr. Eugene Henderson. Also attending was Katie DeBenedictis, Chief of Staff and AVP for University Board Affairs.
"I am grateful for the invitation to attend Dining with the Deans and to gain insight into the experiences of our student-athletes at The University of Toledo," said Schroeder. "I was truly inspired by their passion for both their sports and academics, as well as their commitment to the Toledo community. These remarkable individuals proudly represent Rocket Nation both in the classroom and in competition. They all have the Power to Do great things and I look forward to watching them all succeed."
"This was a unique opportunity for our student-athletes to voice their experiences and ideas for improving the University," added Henderson. "The connections forged during this dinner will not only enrich their time at the University of Toledo but also foster a lasting dialogue that drives positive change."
The seven student-athletes attending the dinner were Logan Danzeisen (Baseball/ MBA-Finance), Olivia Dault (Women's Soccer/Marketing and Professional Sales), Aubrey Duhaime (Women's Cross Country and Track & Field/ Marketing), Emilio Duran (Football/ Recreational Therapy), Geoff Howles (Men's Cross Country/ MBA-Finance), Nan Garcia (Women's Basketball/ MBA-Leadership) and Javan Simmons (Men's Basketball/ Media Communication).
"Dining with the Deans was a great experience. I felt honored to be there to interact and get to know our school's leaders as well as engage with other student-athletes," said Dault. "The key takeaway was the genuine interest our leaders have in listening to student-athletes and demonstrating their commitment to enhancing the experience for all students. This interaction highlighted their dedication to our well-being and the betterment of the University as a whole. It is very special to have faculty and administration that take the time to hear the needs of the students directly to provide necessary changes, and that's exactly what we have at The University of Toledo."
"This experience allowed me to further see faculty and administrators at the University Toledo as approachable and relatable," added Simmons. "It was good to converse with them and get to know them and the other student-athletes better as well. The impact it had was tremendous as it showed me that The University of Toledo truly does care for us not only as athletes but as humans."
The event marked the seventh time Dining with the Deans has occurred between the athletic department and university leaders over the past two-plus academic years. A total of 47 student-athletes have participated in these events.
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