Foster named new ombudsman

April 21, 2008 —

The replacement for Dick Thompson, ombudsman of SVSU and recent retiree, was filled by visiting professor Burk Foster.

Foster, who was recently appointed by President Eric R. Gilbertson, will assume the ombudsman position officially starting Aug. 1. He will work with Dick Thompson, who announced retirement last month, approximately one day a week during the spring and summer semesters to make the transition into the new position.

Foster, who has been a part of the SVSU community for the last three years, has helped develop the criminal justice program through planning of outside experience and teaching.

Foster grew up in Oklahoma and attended the University of Oklahoma for his undergraduate studies. He later attended the same university for graduate studies in criminal justice. After finishing his graduate studies he joined the United States Air Force Academy. After leaving the Air Force, Foster began teaching at the University of Louisiana Lafayette. At Lafayette, Foster was involved in student advising as a professor of criminal justice in addition to holding honors student seminars.

"At the University of Louisiana Lafayette," Foster said, "I would advise close to 300 students at a time that were involved in the criminal justice department."

After leaving Lafayette, Foster moved north to Kalispell, Montana, where he maintains a permanent legal residence. Foster rents a home in Michigan, but spends time in Kalispell on school breaks, including summer and Christmas vacations.

Foster believes assuming the ombudsman position at SVSU will enable him to come into closer contact with students on a day-to-day basis. He believes that the ombudsman position encompasses helping students with their problems, directing students where to go or what to do in case of a problem, and listening to student concerns in general.

"I think it will be a good experience for me," Foster said. "It is a problem solver's position."

Gilbertson felt Foster was the right pick for the position.

"He has had a lot of experience with college students," he said. Gilbertson added that it hasn't been decided what particular duties Foster will assume of retired Dick Thompson, whose duties included chair of the Professional Journalistic Practices Committee and adviser to Student Association. It is not decided whether Foster will assume these duties.

"We're leaning towards SA adviser, but it hasn't been decided yet," Foster said on his potential duties.