Double trouble? Two administrators ‘separate’ from University
Donald Young, left, and Dione Somerville.
BLOOMSBURG, Pa. — It wasn’t a typical Monday morning for two Bloomsburg University deans.
Donald Young and Dione Somerville, who walked into work as Dean of Students and Vice President of Student Affairs, respectively, were escorted from campus Monday, according to corroborating sources.
Right now, there is no answer as to why they were dismissed, causing students such as Brian Katzmaier, a Bloomsburg senior, to become outraged.
“The student body deserves answers and if these answers are not provided then action should be taken to demand them.”
Due to the sudden vacancies and the hierarchy in the Office of the Dean of Students, James McCormack is now the Acting VP of Student Affairs.
McCormack claims to have “no specific knowledge” of the matter, despite having held a seemingly close administrative position–the Assistant VP of Student Affairs–to the individuals.
He would only say that Somerville has “separated from the university.”
Somerville was the VP of Student Affairs at BU since 2011. She was a finalist twice last year in presidential searches at St. Cloud State University in Minnesota and Edinboro University.
Young worked at BU for over 26 years, serving seven of those as Dean of Students, according to his LinkedIn profile. Last fall, the baseball team honored him as Employee of the Week.
Congratulations Donald Young, Huskies Baseball Employee of the Week! Donald is Bloomsburg University’s Dean of Students. Thank You Donald for your dedication. 👍⚾️🎉@GoBUHuskies @BloomsburgU pic.twitter.com/ee73tlP5GX
— Mike Collins (@BUCoachCollins) September 4, 2018
McCormack initially said he was informed that Young “chose to separate” from the university, but then corrected himself saying, “I shouldn’t say ‘chose.’ He separated from the university.”
Rumors abound regarding the reasons for the employees’ separations.
Somerville said she was unable to comment at this time.
Likewise, Tom McGuire, Director of Media Relations and Content Strategy said, “We cannot comment on personnel matters.”
While the university has said nothing official, word has been spreading, as several students and staff members witnessed the two administrators being ushered off the campus grounds.
Katzmaier says Young and Somerville were “two very respected individuals” and that the campus will be worse without them.
This is a developing story. Updates will be made as details are confirmed.
