Dedication to one’s vocation is something Mike Rossman truly values. His father undertook his medical training in Galveston and eventually moved the family to Alto, Houston and, finally, Tyler as he developed his practice. Rossman has exhibited equal dedication to his work as an admission officer, all in one place—his alma mater.

Rossman enrolled at Southwestern in 1969. Following his graduation, he began working in the admission office and has demonstrated an enduring commitment to the University for the past 30 years. It is the nature of his job that makes him even more energized today than he was at the outset of his career. He says, “Southwestern, like the students we educate, continues to grow, change and confront its future. It’s not the same today as it was yesterday. There are always new challenges and a need to stay fresh in our approach to defining how Southwestern makes a difference in the lives of the students we attract.”

Rossman finds it easy to illustrate the benefits of a Southwestern education to prospective students. His values dovetail with the educational ethos of the University. “I believe in the worth and dignity of individuals. I believe in value-centered education. I believe in looking at life’s issues from a balanced perspective.”

Perhaps more significantly, Rossman’s years of service have instilled in him an appreciation of Southwestern’s history and a keen devotion to its future. “There was a lot of Southwestern history already written before I arrived. I don’t think we should forget that. Those of us here today are stewards of Southwestern’s tradition and we must do all we can to ensure that generations to come inherit a Southwestern as exceptional asthe one we care for today.”