Dave Hansen, Linfield grad Den Surles and Linfield SID Kelly Bird on Oxy campus (Eagle Rock, Calif.) prior to Wildcats’ Sept. 29, 2009, football game with the Occidental Tigers.
Hansen roasted and toasted on retirement
That touched on two major aspects of Hansen’s personality: He knows more than a few things about sports, and he has a bubbling sense of humor.
President Thomas Hellie noted that upon his arrival at Linfield, he was cautioned to consult Hansen before making important decisions. That was good advice, he said, as Hansen is incredibly knowledgeable and incredibly loyal.
By Starla Pointer
McMinnville News-Register
6/1/2010
Hansen roasted and toasted on retirement
With the extra time he’ll have after moving into partial retirement, Linfield College mainstay Dave Hansen said he plans to sleep in, relax, read the newspaper, take walks with his wife, play with his grandchildren, maybe travel a little.
“And I’m thinking of taking up an interest in sports,” he told a crowd gathered in his honor Monday afternoon.
That touched on two major aspects of Hansen’s personality: He knows more than a few things about sports, and he has a bubbling sense of humor.
Hansen has been the “voice of the Wildcats” for more than 30 years, even longer than he’s served as dean of students at the college. His play-by-play and color commentary for the Linfield football team are legendary — so much so that athletic director Scott Carnahan awarded him a souvenir football at the retirement reception.
Signed by historic head coaches Paul Durham, Ad Rutschman, Jay Locey and Joe Smith, the purple-and-white ball is a rare edition, though a twin can be found in the Linfield trophy case.
Hansen, a Willamette University graduate, has been an avid Wildcat since 1969, when he joined the college as an economics professor. He will continue in that role part time, while retiring from the dean’s position, his vice presidency of student services and his football announcing sideline.
Is he glad to be shedding so many of his administrative duties, but continuing to work with students in the classroom? “Abso-by-gosh-a-lutely yes!” he said.
Hansen called the change “a transition to the more rational world of teaching students,” rather than a real retirement.
Nevertheless, his colleagues, students and other friends took the opportunity to give him quite a roasting Monday afternoon.
They teased him about the state of his office: overflowing. They teased him about his wardrobe: best if chosen by his wife. They teased him about his testing style: daily, or at least every day someone misses class.
A former student quipped that he’d taken Hansen’s class, and now, he said, “following years of therapy, I’m leading a positive and productive life.”
Mostly, though, well-wishers heaped praise on Hansen. They called him an excellent teacher and mentor who obviously cared deeply about relationships, the subject matter and the school.
President Thomas Hellie noted that upon his arrival at Linfield, he was cautioned to consult Hansen before making important decisions. That was good advice, he said, as Hansen is incredibly knowledgeable and incredibly loyal.
He’s also incredibly supportive of the city, Mayor Rick Olson chimed in.
Hansen has served on the chamber board, the planning commission and, since 2001, the city council. He also has been involved with advisory groups, like the one charged with planning the Mayor’s Charity Ball.
He can “summarize and dissect complicated matters” and he’s always upbeat, Olson said. “Dave doesn’t talk a lot, but when he says something, you know you should listen.”
The mayor added, “He’s a fine example of a great town and gown relationship.” And in recognition, he went on to declare Monday to be Dave Hansen Day in McMinnville.
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--Linfield Magazine, Fall 2004
