Robert (Bob) Pearce never set out to have a career in higher education. But after he found himself working in the field at the urging of one of his college professors, Bob couldn’t think of a more fitting career for himself.
Bob grew up going to Catholic school in Enid, Oklahoma, and graduated from Phillips University. He eventually made his way to Newman University, where he began working as the assistant to the president. Over the years he worked at Newman University—from 1969 to 1977—Bob held several different positions, including director of business and planning, treasurer, director of special programs and director of institutional advancement.
A Stepping Stone to Future Paths
During his time at Newman University, Bob also earned his doctorate in higher education administration from Oklahoma State University. That degree later enabled him to become the vice president for administration and finance at Southern Arkansas University, vice president for financial services and professor of education at Idaho State University and president of Mount Mercy College.
“That opportunity to come to Newman University, get a doctorate while I was there, and have that broad experience touching almost every aspect of the institution—that was my education,” Bob said.
He added, “My doctorate wasn’t near as beneficial to what I actually did in my life as those eight formative years at Newman University, and much of that has to do with my colleagues I had while there.”
Paying It Forward
Now that he’s retired from his long and successful career in higher education, Bob and his wife, Marie, who currently reside in Pocatello, Idaho, have made a point to give back to the institutions that have impacted them, including Newman University.
“Since we have the ability to support things, Newman University is one of the places that we feel we not only want to support, but feel a special sense of gratitude to support,” he said.
The Pearces established an endowment at Newman University focused on supporting campus ministry because they believe that to be at the heart of a Catholic university. The couple was heartened when they met with President Kathleen Jagger and campus ministry staff, as it was clear they shared that vision.
“We see those people having the same level of commitment to the Catholic identity of the institution, and we just wanted to let them know that there are people out there who are supportive of that aspect of the institution and what they’re doing,” Bob said. “Hopefully, in some small way, we can maybe help them by providing more resources.”
Ultimately, Bob feels he owes a lot of his success to the breadth of experiences he had while at Newman University, which also inspires him to give back to the institution.
“I could not have asked for a better life career than what I’ve had,” he said. “There’s just something special about colleges and universities.”
For more information on how you can support Newman University through your estate plan or planned giving, please contact University Advancement at 316-942-4291 Ext 2163 or advancement@newmanu.edu.
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