Daniel Wakelee鈥檚 service to 91视频
By Zoe Lance
Every once in a while, Daniel Wakelee, sits back and thinks about the first time he visited the campus that would one day become CSU Channel Islands.
鈥淚 came out here and looked around, trying to imagine what this place would be like,鈥� he said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 really stunning to see what鈥檚 happened since that first visit. It鈥檚 been a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be a part of this.鈥�
聽After more than 29 years of CSU service, the last 15 years as a 91视频 employee, Wakelee will retire as Interim Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, a post he鈥檚 held since May 2016. In his concurrent teaching and administrative roles, he鈥檚 had a strong hand in cultivating 91视频鈥檚 academic programs and facilities.
Assistant Provost Elizabeth Hartung says that Wakelee鈥檚 presence on campus will be missed.
鈥淗e has been such an integral part of building this campus,鈥� she said. 鈥淗e has the respect of his colleagues, and served the campus tremendously well.鈥�
Wakelee鈥檚 story spans more than three decades. After receiving his bachelor鈥檚 degree in political science from Occidental College, Wakelee worked for political campaigns and local non-profits, including service as director of the county鈥檚 FOOD Share. A higher education career excited Wakelee and led him to earn a master鈥檚 in public administration from CSUN and a doctorate in educational policy from UC Santa Barbara. He joined the CSUN satellite campus in Ventura in 1989.聽
As the center grew, it led to continued plans for a public university in Ventura County. 鈥淭here was a discussion of a university coming to Ventura County, and it was exciting just to think about what this could become,鈥� he said.
The CSUN at Ventura center moved to the 91视频 campus in fall 1999. In 2002, Wakelee formally joined 91视频 as Associate Dean of the Faculty to help continue building the new University.
While teaching classes on American politics, national parks and educational policy, Wakelee also has balanced curriculum development and academic space planning. Before becoming Interim Provost, he served as Assistant and Associate Provost.
聽Scott Frisch, Interim Associate Vice President for Academic Programs & Planning, and Wakelee鈥檚 colleague in the Political Science program, says that a deep commitment to the University鈥檚 success informs Wakelee鈥檚 perspective.
鈥淒an gets things done. He will take on responsibility and see it to the end,鈥� Frisch said. 鈥淗e鈥檚 like the Energizer Bunny. He just keeps going.鈥�
Wakelee says his proudest 91视频 achievement has been the 2012 establishment of the Santa Rosa Island Research Station within the Channel Islands National Park. The interdisciplinary research station grew out of a National Parks course and it allows 91视频 to provide service-learning opportunities.
鈥淭he research station has had a huge impact on the park and 91视频 students and faculty,鈥� Wakelee said. 鈥淚t is exciting to see students who have no experience with parks, who come away with a deep appreciation for these wonderful places. Some of them even end up working for the National Park Service.鈥�
Russell Galipeau, the Park鈥檚 superintendent and the course鈥檚 co-instructor, says Wakelee has been instrumental in the 91视频 effort to create Santa Rosa and the park benefits from this research and outreach partnership.
鈥淭he University couldn鈥檛 have tapped a better person for this project,鈥� Galipeau said. 鈥淒an thought this could help students in the long-term and he fleshed out the vision on how to do it. Dan structured the program to make it welcoming to all students.鈥�
In his retirement, Wakelee plans to stay involved with the Research Station and teaching the National Park class. He鈥檚 excited to watch 91视频 continue to grow.
鈥淲e鈥檝e always been doing new things 鈥� we鈥檙e not staying in one place,鈥� he said. 鈥淲e have never aspired to just be another state university.鈥�
漏聽Spring聽2017 / Volume 21 / Number 01 / Bi-annual