By Danielle Pajek

David Day, 19-year devotee to La Roche University’s student life, is transitioning to the University of Pittsburgh this month.

“David Day was more than just an advisor to me, he was my mentor. He looked out for me not just as a student, but most importantly as a person.”

Mohammed Massad, President of La Roche University’s Student Government

The Director of Student Development, known for his words of wisdom, posh British accent, and stealing bites out of unsuspecting bagels, will be greatly missed by students, faculty, and staff.

“Dave Really helped La Roche become a welcoming and fun environment as the director of student activities. He made sure that everyone had a voice on campus and was open to anything the students were interested in doing. Dave made a large impact on the university with his leadership and endless support of the students,” Caroline Maxwell, Academic Vice President for student government, shared.

“David Day was a true supporter of the student body. He was one of the most influential people in my life, as he always advocated for students in every way. Dave was a charismatic man who was down to Earth and always a friend. He impacted my future for teaching me leadership and personally how to drive. Without him, my progression in life would be set back by years without the leadership David provided to me,” sophomore and volunteer enthusiast, Matthew Mars, said.

Dave took the time to answer a few questions about his departure, leave the students with a final message, and thank the LRU community.

Q. What is the title of your new position at Pitt and what will you do in your role?

A. Associate Director of Student Organizations & Advising

Q. You’ve been at La Roche for a long time, what made you decide to apply to Pitt?

A. It was time for a new challenge. But also; Better pay, healthcare, tuition for my kids, and benefits.

Q. What are you most excited for at Pitt? 

A. A new challenge, greater resources, bigger campus. 

Q. What, if anything, are you nervous or less excited for at Pitt? 

A. The scope of the job is huge. I will oversee over 600 student organizations! Parking!

Q. What will you miss most about La Roche? 

A. The staff, faculty and students that I work with in a daily basis.

Q. Is there a moment at La Roche that will stick with you: good or bad? 

A. Many. My favorite all-time sporting moment; when La Roche hoops won the 2011 basketball championship following the death of Coach Lang in December 2010. We beat Behrend right at the end!!!

Q. Is there a last piece of advice you want to leave the La Roche students with?

A. Go get it. Discover your passions and follow them. Don’t wait for life to hand you anything. 

Q. Is there anything else you would like to add?

A. Thank you to everyone!

Special thanks go to Colleen Ruefle; who has been the best boss that I could ever have hoped for; kind, caring, thoughtful. She has empowered me and trusted me.

I watched her kids grow up. 

She has watched mine. 

My colleagues are my friends.

We have shared so much joy, so many laughs. 

We have also shared great pain and tragedy. Losing friends. People who we loved and shared our lives with. People who we still think of today. Scott, Don, Lori, Paul B., Candace, just to name a few.

Students; Michael, Trey, Hew and sadly others.

Never did I think that I would be a college soccer coach.

I was on the search committee in 2009. We offered the job to 2 candidates who turned it down. I asked Tink if I could do it for the season. He said yes and It became 10 seasons. That was a tremendous experience for me.

La Roche has enabled me to go to many places.

Soccer trips that included stops in England, Holland, Germany, Belgium, Scotland, Ireland, Wales, Italy & Spain. Our teams played games in many of those countries against club and academy teams. It took us until the third trip to actually win a game!

Academic trips to Portugal, Hungary and Czech Republic. All with Natasha who was an amazing and savvy travel partner.

I have been privileged to work with hundreds of student leaders and have been lucky to advise SGA for all this time. 

This year’s SGA has made me especially proud and Mohammad Massad has done an amazing job leading the group! Thank you to each of you!

I’ve been honored to work with many great people. A few who have been here even longer than me! We do not recognize their dedication and service enough. Colleen. Tink. Natasha. Father Pete, Steph Arend, John Mussitch, Marie Deem, Cheryl Trischler, Betty Gsell, Miguel Lozano, Lynn Archer, Ed Stankowski, Mark Dawson, Ricky Tillis, Dayna Tinkey, Big John and quite a few more! These people have been the bedrock of La Roche for many years. 

Thanks also to short timers (less than 20 years!) such as Sister Veronica, Julie Makuta, Lorenzo, Kat, Veronica Philip, Rishi, Barb, Sarah White, and many more; especially every member of the Student Life staff. it has been my honor to work with you. 

I have always tried to put students first. To enable and empower them. 

To tell them yes. To be honest and straightforward. To be authentic and genuine.

I plan to take all of the care and compassion of La Roche with me to Pitt. Thanks to former employees such as Candace Okello, Jeff Dailey, Paulette Beadling, Emily Markham, Nicole Gable, LJ Morgan, Chris Willis, Erin Dorsch, and Ed Pupich who helped me look competent!

La Roche must continue to provide our students with every possible opportunity for growth and provide the global education that they deserve. 

Also, there is no greater resource than our Human Resources and we must take care of our people. 

Thanks to everyone in facilities, food service, housekeeping, and all the areas that get overlooked. Without the dedicated students, staff, and faculty who make up the backbone of La Roche, the institution would not be the wonderful, unique, diverse institution that it is!

I am so grateful to have discovered this wonderful place and spent the time here that I did. 

Apologies to anyone I forgot!

Good luck for the future!

Go get it!