Spring Arbor University Crusader

Issue date: 4/24/08 Section: Features

Most students recognize Damon Seacott as the man whose office they pass walking through the Kresge Student Center yet few realize how much work he does for Spring Arbor University. As chief of staff, he is constantly at work.

"My job is to try to keep things running smoothly on campus," he said.

He arrives at his office between 6:00 and 7:00 every morning. For the next few hours, he gets "busywork" done-during regular business hours, he needs to be available to react to things as they come up.

Seacott's job includes assisting President Bates and the Board of Trustees, meeting with faculty, attending committee meetings and helping students in any way he can. He loves the location of his office because it's in a high-traffic area. It makes it feel like the President is available for students and staff.

He meets with President Bates every morning. If the president is on the road, they interact over e-mail and Seacott represents the president at meetings. Seacott is also the primary liaison between SAU and the Board of Trustees, so he meets with at least one of the trustees every week, although he may meet with as many as 10. Beyond that, Seacott meets frequently with the vice presidents and other staff members and is on several committees so he is always aware of what is going on.

Seacott's favorite aspect of the job, however, is his interaction with students. He meets with students frequently-on Friday, he met with two for help with career planning. He also lives in K-1, sharing it with seven upperclassmen.

Dan VanderHill, assistant vice president of Student Development, has gotten to know Seacott very well over the past several years. Before Seacott was chief of staff he worked in Student Development in numerous positions, including director of career services, dean of students, and vice president of Student Development.

VanderHill said the strengths Seacott exhibits are his abilities to remember names and learn systems. He understands how things work at SAU and knows how to get things accomplished.

On top of that, Seacott takes a week off each summer to help with resident assistant training. He is a great cook and he makes food for the resident assistants.

"[Seacott] is an amazingly hard worker and is willing to work long hours," VanderHill said.

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