Farewell, Hargrove

Whether you knew him through his well-known "When I say education, you say enthusiastic," speech or his numerous community service and outreach programs, Dean Jesse Hargrove is a man who will be sorely missed by all who came into contact with him.

The University of Arizona has lost a great administrator who truly cares about the students. Last week, Jesse Hargrove, assistant dean for African American Student Affairs, tendered his resignation after eight years here to spend more time with his family and move back to his hometown of Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.

Hargrove was hired in 1989 in response to demands for more minority representation on campus. Instead of just being a figure head, however, Hargrove actively participated in all facets of the campus and Tucson community life. Whether you saw him at the ASUA/ULC Basketball League, Golden Key National Honorary, Evening of Excellence, or any other function at the university, he was the administrator who made a point to reach out to students.

When Hargrove was a faculty senator of the Associated Students of the University of Arizona in 1991-1992, he could be counted on to bring up many points the student senators may not have thought about. Hargrove was like a silent presence, not intruding on the students trying to run ASUA, but rather as a voice of experience on various issues.

Hargrove is also the person you would go to if you had a problem at the university, whether you are an African American or not. He would try to help you wade through the bureaucracy at the school and get the problem solved. If Hargrove couldn't help you, or at least send you to a person who could help, there was no solution to the problem.

Hargrove is not a divisive person who tries to capitalize on others' misfortunes. Rather, he is a mediator, a man who tries to work with all groups involved and get the best deal for all, while still looking out for his own constituency.

A recent example of his conciliatory nature was a Zia Records advertisement, which ran in the Wildcat and the Tucson Weekly and upset some members of the African American community. Hargrove realized that while the editorial board of the Wildcat had no say in the placement of the ad nor any intention to offend, he worked with the paper to calm the campus tension. When he contacted the corporate offices of Zia Records, the vice president promised to pull the ads, write a letter of apology to the newspaper, and to advertise in area African American publications.

A final note, however, on Hargrove's impact on minority relations and the university. Since he was hired in 1989, the number of African Americans receiving bachelor degrees has increased 49 percent, from 59 his first year to 88 students last year, according to 1995-1996 figures in the UA Fact Book.

What most students on campus would know Hargrove for is the "Enthusiastic Education" speech. Unfortunately, it seems our education will be a little less enthusiastic without Hargrove.

By Editoral Staff
Arizona Daily Wildcat
April 7, 1997