DATE: Friday, October 3, 1997               TAG: 9710010106

SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER      PAGE: 03   EDITION: FINAL 

TYPE: THUMBS UP! 

SOURCE: BY SUSAN SMITH, STAFF WRITER 

                                            LENGTH:   84 lines

BUCKINGHAM KEEPS RUNNING UP THE DUTIES AT VIRGINIA WESLEYAN

DAVID E. BUCKINGHAM, a marathon runner, makes mental lists and formulates plans while he's clipping off miles. And when he gets back to the gym, he logs his thoughts in a notebook.

And he has lots of notebooks for his busy agenda of plans, projects and strategies.

Buckingham, 51, was recently appointed as special assistant to the president of Virginia Wesleyan College. He will also continue to serve as vice-president of student affairs and dean of students.

``I definitely have a full plate, but I enjoy and relish every minute,'' Buckingham said. ``And running is a good way to relax, reflect and plan.''

``I am quite serious when I say David Buckingham's passion for marathon running made him a natural for this new assignment.'' said William T. Greer Jr., the college president. ``His energy and stamina, coupled with a keen mind and deep love for Virginia Wesleyan, will all come together in an effective way for us.''

Greer said Buckingham will assist in marketing, strategic long-range planning, restructuring and new projects for the Methodist supported college of 1,434 students.

``But my first love and involvement is always working with the students,'' Buckingham said. ``My mother would have tagged me a good dean because of lots of personal insight. When the students come with problems and situations, I can look at them and say, been there, done that and I already own the T-shirt.''

Buckingham, the son of a Methodist minister, lived from the Eastern Shore to the Shenandoah family as his father pastored various churches. Because of frequent mischievous deeds, he was tabbed the stereotype ``preacher's kid.'' After a few college courses and frequent fraternity events, he joined the Marine Corps in 1967.

``That opportunity gave me a time to reflect and a great appreciation for the value of education and life in general,'' Buckingham said.

When his military stint was over, he returned to college more focused and with a plan to teach history on a college level. After graduate school, Buckingham applied for a teaching position at Virginia Wesleyan but was not accepted.

``I still have that rejection letter, too,'' Buckingham said.

He served for two years as the headmaster at a private school in Surry before arriving at Virginia Wesleyan as dean of students in 1982 for the then-848 student body.

As dean, Buckingham serves as an advocate for students and oversees areas such as resident life, campus activities and health and career services.

``We have a hand-and-glove approach here,'' Buckingham said. ``We strive to support and assist students in being successful in academics as well as in their personal life. We strive to provide a nurturing environment.''

He said the school also takes a pro-active approach in workshops, seminars and counseling sessions on issues of concern such as safe sex, eating disorders, abuse, drugs and alcoholism.

An engraved silver box in his office attests to his earned nickname, ``Mr. Fix-It,'' for his ability to get students and staff to reflect, identify problems and move ahead.

In 1987, Buckingham was appointed vice-president of student affairs, which added intercollegiate activities, athletic events, commuter services, counseling programs and multicultural affairs to his agenda.

For all his work and constant involvement, Buckingham was named Outstanding Professional in Virginia in 1990 by the Virginia Association of Student Personnel Administrators.

Last summer, he was one of 95 college administrators who attended the competitive Harvard's Institute for Educational Management. The program is planned for those whose responsibility and authority help shape institutional policy.

Now, as special assistant to the president, Buckingham plans to promote community involvement, volunteer opportunities and educational pilot programs to enable students to have more experiences such as internships, overseas travel and job involvement as part of their liberal arts education.

Buckingham and his wife, Linda, and sons, Jonathan and Paxton, live in Great Bridge. Each day as he runs his 10 miles in preparation for marathons, Buckingham is also busy compiling a multitude of ideas for Virginia Wesleyan College. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by TING-LI WANG

David Buckingham, 51, a Great Bridge resident, was recently

appointed as special assistant to the president of Virginia Wesleyan

College. He will also continue to serve as vice-president of student

affairs and dean of students.

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