Before Newcomb Hall Director Eddie Daniels took his position in 1995, the University's student center lacked an outdoor plaza and its dining hall dated to the 1950s.
In 1997, the University completed a massive overhaul of the building, and Daniels worked to reestablish Newcomb as a vibrant center of student life -- a task he names as one of his best professional experiences.
As Daniels prepares to leave his post this summer and take a position as director of campus activities at the University of Connecticut, he remembers fondly the work he has done in the last five years.
"I have had a really good experience at U.Va.," he said. Overseeing the renovations and "getting operations and programs back to a level the campus community expected was a challenging experience and a very, very good one."
Daniels said he is leaving the University to forward his career, not because of any problems in his current position.
"It is a great professional opportunity for me," he said. "That is really what is the driving component for the decision."
Now Daniels is responsible for managing Newcomb's staff, running its operations and programming office and overseeing student organizations housed in the building as well as the Newcomb Hall reservations office, which handles almost all on-Grounds meeting space reservations.
Daniels' new position as director of campus activities at Connecticut will be even larger, expanding his responsibilities to include more involvement with students.
At Connecticut, he will oversee the Greek area on campus, community service projects and student leadership programs. In addition, he will manage the student center, which fits his current job description at the University. He also will be working with the school's student government association, he said.
The University has not yet named a replacement and Dean of Students Penny Rue, Daniels' supervisor, said it will be difficult to find someone who will do the job as well as Daniels has.
"One of the challenges of the position is maintaining the combination of attention to physical facilities the [position] requires and attention to progressive development of the Union," Rue said. "We are seeking someone who has that balance."
Rue said she will name a selection committee to review the position's job description and begin a national search as soon as possible.
But it may be difficult to fill the position during this time of year, she said.
"It is a tough time of year academic calendar-wise, but we will persevere," she added.
The selection committee will review candidates and make a recommendation to Rue, who will make the final hiring decision.
Daniels said he will miss many aspects of working in the University community, especially the people he has worked with.
"The people are who make up U.Va.," he said.
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