These are casual "boxed lunch" get-togethers held in a conference room in Postle Hall. To make the most of each occasion, I ask my lunch partners to share with everyone some details about themselves. They talk about the jobs they have at the college, the education and experience that prepared them for the position, and they describe their responsibilities. I also make a point of asking where they park each day because that topic always brings up interesting information about them and their families, where they live, and their commute to campus. 

 

As we work our way around the table, the conversation is full of insights and perspectives that offer each of us something more than we might get in a formal setting. People are proud to tell their stories. And I feel proud, too, when I hear about their career advancements in our college, or their stories of working their way up from an entry level position to a senior administrative staff appointment, in some cases while also earning a degree at Ohio State. I am particularly interested when I learn that someone started working at the college many years ago, then left for another opportunity, and eventually returned years later because they missed being part of The Ohio State University and our College of Dentistry. I sense that everyone enjoys hearing what each other has to share.

 

I close these sessions by thanking everyone for spending their lunch hour with me. I also let them know how glad I am to learn about how we are all helping the college to meet its responsibilities in caring for patients, educating students, and conducting research. And I encourage them to share what they learned with their co-workers and to suggest that their colleagues should also have a "lunch with the dean."

 

I am always invigorated after each of these get-togethers. Hearing people's stories about their work in the college, their enthusiasm for what they do, and their gratitude for being here at Ohio State makes me feel so fortunate to be associated with them. It is no wonder that we accomplish so much every day!