COLUMBIA, Ky. – Chris Schmidt came to Lindsey Wilson College in 1995 because he thought an entry-level job in student affairs would prove to be a stepping stone toward becoming a college basketball coach.
Instead, the job led to becoming coach of what Schmidt calls “the biggest basketball team in the history of the game.”
Schmidt was named the college’s dean of students in 2001, which makes him the longest-serving dean of students in the history of Lindsey Wilson. He’s also the longest-serving current dean of students among Kentucky’s 18 independent colleges and universities, as well as one of the longest-serving administrators among active deans of students in all of Kentucky higher education.
And on March 15, Schmidt became a hall of fame dean of students when he was inducted into the College Personnel Association of Kentucky Hall of Fame at a ceremony in Lexington.
Formed in 1976, the College Personnel Association of Kentucky, also known as CPAK, is a state division of the American College Personnel Association. CPAK serves higher education professionals who work in student affairs, student services and campus life.
“When I came to Lindsey Wilson, I had my eyes set on becoming a college basketball coach,” said Schmidt. “Being a college basketball coach meant that you had 15-20 guys to coach every season. But when I became dean of students, I wound up getting to coach an entire campus. I get to coach and influence every Lindsey Wilson student, every single day. So it’s like coaching the biggest basketball team in the history of the game. Even better, I get to work with amazing people who share the same philosophy and get to influence students through their work.”
Serving at the heart of the mission
Schmidt has been an actual coach during his three-decade Lindsey Wilson career. He served as an assistant coach on the men’s basketball team, head coach of the college’s bowling and cycling teams, and sponsor of the cheerleading team. He’s also been a resident adviser, a hall director, coordinated the college’s intramural sports programming, overseen student activities and led campus safety.
As dean of students, Schmidt oversees a staff of more than two dozen professionals who are focused on creating and building a living-learning environment that complements students’ classroom experiences. He also promotes developing students’ leadership skills through the college’s innovative L3 program, which stands for live, learn, lead.
“Serving students is at the heart of our mission and what we do,” said Schmidt. “Serving students has been embedded into my professional DNA. What I enjoy most is being and connecting with students, then figuring out what they need to get over all the hurdles. They just need somebody to give them a lift up every once in a while. I’m fortunate that I get to work at a place where everyone lifts up students every day.”
The CPAK Hall of Fame is the second time Schmidt has been enshrined. A New York City native, he’s also a member of the State University of New York Delhi Athletics Hall of Fame as a member of that school’s record-setting 1991-92 men’s basketball team.
After SUNY Delhi, Schmidt came to Kentucky to finish his undergraduate work at Western Kentucky University. That’s also where he’s earned his master’s degree and his doctorate.
And although he didn’t wind up becoming head coach of a college basketball team, Schmidt discovered a kind of fountain of youth in his work.
“All of us who serve in this profession are the luckiest people,” he said. “Being on a college campus makes you feel young every single day because of the students you get to work with and serve. I wake up every day looking forward to coming to work because young people bring such energy. It’s fun to work with them and to watch them grow. And then when they graduate, you get to see them on one of the happiest days of their lives when they celebrate this amazing accomplishment with their family members and friends. It’s just such a blessing to be part of that.”
PHOTO – Lindsey Wilson College Dean of Students Chris Schmidt was inducted March 15 into the Kentucky College Personnel Association Hall of Fame at a ceremony held in Lexington. Schmidt is the longest-tenured dean of students among Kentucky’s 18 independent colleges and universities.
(Duane Bonifer – Lindsey Wilson College)