Celebrating President Rock Jones and Melissa Lollar Jones

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Rock Jones, Ohio Wesleyan's 16th president, will retire on June 30, 2023. Rock and Melissa Lollar Jones have faithfully served OWU for 15 years providing visionary leadership as well as thoughtful stewardship of the university and tremendous friendship to Bishops everywhere. We invite you to share your favorite memories or photos of Rock or Melissa and also warm wishes for their next adventure after Ohio Wesleyan. We thank Rock and Melissa for their efforts to make every day "A Great Day to be a Bishop!"

Rock,

As I reflect back on the years working alongside of you, there were many challenges, tough decisions to be made, and of course lots to celebrate. Some days were more difficult than others. You continued to do the right thing with integrity and passion, always focusing on what was best for the University.

It wasn't always easy to anticipate your needs, but I am thankful for our work together, the trust you instilled in me and your dedicated friendship. You always expected excellence and helped me to grow personally and professionally.

Ohio Wesleyan University is better than you found it and you have left a lasting footprint that will remain for years to come. I wish you and Melissa all the best in this next chapter! Thank you for your many contributions. Cheers!

Thank you Rock and Melissa for 15 years of dedication to Ohio Wesleyan University. Rock's dedication, leadership, and vision have left a lasting impact on OWU and Rock's contributions will continue to benefit the university for many years to come. We wish you the best in your future endeavors.

When our daughter was looking at colleges during COVID, we were so impressed that Rock took part in the various WebEx informational sessions that were held. We have a handwritten note from Rock in our kitchen, we were so touched that the college President would take the time to write the note welcoming our student.

You will be greatly missed. As you pass the baton, we are looking ahead to the future and we are optimistic for OWU's continued success.

Karen & Michael Domenech

Thank you so very much for your wonderful leadership at OWU .It is now tme for you and Melissa to enjoy retirement doing everything that makes you happy. You will certainly be missed at OWU, but now to say your goodbyes and relax. .

A special thank you from me, Kay McCullough Williams, Class of 1958…. I’m sorry but I will be unable to attend your festivities as I broke my hip in July and am in assisted living here in Auburn, Indiana until I mend and can walk better.

Again, thanks for the memories,

Kay

Jane J. Griffiths greets President Jones and The Battling Bishop at the October 2019 Donors Brunch.

Rock,

It has been an honor to be on the Board and watch your Leadership of OWU. It has been amazing all the results you have achieved. Thank you for all that you have done for Ohio Wesleyan University.

Good luck on your next adventure!

Tracie Winbigler

Class of 1987

Rock and Melissa,

I wish you the best as you move forward to other pursuits. It has been an extraordinary pleasure to get to know you both, and I especially appreciate your friendship in the last year. We will miss you! OWI is grateful for your service.

I want to take this opportunity to congratulate President Rock Jones on the

"all good news" I have always heard of his time as our president. I had

already graduated in 1988 before he got here, but I have heard from

him, by e-mail, several times about my articles in the Delaware Gazette

about my days at OWU. I am one of the few who took one class a semester

from day one until my graduation 11 years later. Everything was all good

news. We will miss you. But we want all good news for you in your

retirement.

I recently had the pleasure of attending the LLI class From Adam Poe to Rock Jones: 180 Years of Ohio Wesleyan History with Bob Holm. As he spoke about the founding of our campus and those university presidents before you, I could not help but think about the legacy you will both leave upon Rock's retirement. The positive energy you radiate for OWU shines through in so many of our students, faculty, staff, and alumni. You have helped update and preserve historic buildings on our campus including Merrick and Slocum Halls, revitalizing them for this new generation of students. Your passion for the OWU Connection will help countless students to connect with experiences that otherwise may have been unattainable. You continue to make an Ohio Wesleyan education a mark of pride and success.

Although my time at OWU has been short, I am proud to say I had the opportunity to work alongside you. Thank you for helping make every day a great day to be a Bishop!

Rock and Melissa,

Thank you for your outstanding leadership of Ohio Wesleyan over the past 15 years! I feel lucky to have worked at OWU during much of your tenure and to have seen your care for the OWU community as a whole and its members individually in practice. Not every president would recognize a relatively new staff member at the grocery store and willingly engage them in conversation! Thank you for your excellent stewardship of my alma mater.

I hope that your retirement from the presidency allows for more time with your family and more adventures outside of Delaware!

Congratulations and best wishes!

Rock/Prez. - You have been the 'quinessential president' of a Liberal Arts College in

America. You are irreplacable. You put OWU 'on the map' as it has never been before - your service/workk speaks for itself. All the best to you, your wife & your family in your future steps,

Melissa,

Behind every great leader is a supportive partner and friend. Thank you for all you have done to support both Rock, and OWU, over the last 15 years! We appreciate you opening your home for Monnett Club meetings, faithfully attending our regional events, and making fond connections with our students and alumni. Best wishes in your next chapter!

Dear Rock,

Thank you for all that you have accomplished and continue to do for Ohio Wesleyan! I got to have a unique glimpse into all the effort you and the administration put into keeping campus running and it still inspires me to this day. Your legacy will be a lasting one. I wish you the best in all things coming next, and again thank you!

Sincerely,

Kevin Rossi '17

Rock, the very best of wishes to you and your family as you embark on the next step of life's journey. OWU is so much better for all you have done over the years! You will be missed! Godspeed, Wendy Wood

Rock and Melissa,

Thank you for all you’ve done for the OWU community! Best wishes on your next adventure, and looking forward to seeing you both in Chicago!!

It has been a pleasure watching you work these last 15 years. Wish you all kinds of luck in the next 15, wherever they may be. Take care and don’t forget us, the Ohio Wesleyan community.

Sincerely,

Marjorie Mitchell ‘67

What a magnificent surprise to see OWU looking way better at our Class of 1969 Reunion than it looked 50 years before! OWU is responsible for creating innumerable life-long friendships among classmates that have been a blessing to each of us. Thank you for your outstanding vision and leadership that has permitted OWU to thrive with you at the helm.

Rock has been a tremendous leader in higher education. He spoke at the College Board Colloquium several years ago, and it was so good to see him again in person. Rock has always valued the opinions of others, and yet our field has always felt the same about him. We all want to know what Rock thinks too! Wishing Rock and his family a happy retirement!

When I say I knew Rock was going to be great for OWU from the start, I’m not lying. I was his tour guide on his very first day! Instantly, I knew that he was going to excel in that position and provide great leadership to OWU for many years to come. Rock not only delivered but exceeded my expectations for a university president. He is a true professional, kind, caring, and involved. He is everything you could want in a leader. I am forever grateful that I was able to meet Rock during his tenure at Ohio Wesleyan. I wish him and his family nothing but the best in retirement!

Rock and Melissa,

Thank you so much for everything you have done for the OWU Community! You are one of the reasons I chose to attend OWU as a student and I have been sincerely honored to work alongside you as a staff member. Your passion, student-facing approach, and your love for the liberal arts has not gone unnoticed!

You're both superstars!

Rock,

About 16 years ago I sat along with my fellow alumni board members listening to you speak on what today would be considered an archaic form of a conference call! You had recently accepted the position as our new president and we collectively soaked in the enthusiastic & confident tone of your conversation.

Those qualities never failed you in leading Ohio Wesleyan through challenging times. Your absence will be deeply felt, but know that the legacy you leave will benefit us all for years and years to come.

Please keep us on your radar when in New England…and certainly Ocean Park!

Sending our sincere gratitude,

Nancy & Tom Williams

Rock,

Though I didn't have the opportunity to know you as a student, my volunteer roles have provided me many opportunities to speak with our students during your time as President. Through those discussions I've learned that you have a very unique ability to strike the perfect balance between being a "mentor" and a "friend" to our students. This has truly inspired them during a critical time in their personal development, and endeared them to OWU for years to come. This is so critical for our success as an institution, and for that, we thank you!

My wife and I would like to thank President Rock Jones for implementing his vision of the future for OWU.

He has lead the path forward for future graduating classes of OWU that will help them achieve their future goals and endeavors.

Our daughters OWU education has prepared her well for the challenges of a changing world. This was the result of the instruction, mentoring and coaching of the excellent faculty and staff available during her educational journey (2014-2018) at OWU.

OWU's culture under Rock Jones guidance clearly has helped it become a "jewel" for Ohio's liberal arts educational landscape.

The 10 year stellar leadership of Rock Jones, the financial generosity of alumni, community support, a supportive administration and students that will adapt to new ideas will permit this to happen. This will leave a important legacy for future OWU alumni.

We are grateful and appreciative of his and OWU's personal support of our family and wish him the very best towards any future goals and aspirations he may hope to achieve.

Thank you for the wonderful job you have done and how well you have steered OWU through the changing world these last 15 years. Best. of luck to you both as you start a new phase in life. Go Bishops!

Mary Ann Hoyt Bell, class of '69

Congratulations to Rock and Melissa on 15 years of very good leadership at OWU. I always enjoyed meeting Rock at Washington, DC Alumni events. I also often had a chance to chat with Rock back on campus at Homecoming and Class Reunions. I wish good luck to Rock and Melissa in the future.

Franklin Marks

Class of 1967

I vividly remember my very first day on OWU's campus, I was walking to Selby Stadium to meet my new teammates before the first day of preseason practice. It was the first time I got the chance to walk through campus by myself and take everything in. As I passed University Hall headed towards Merrick, who was the first person I saw but Rock Jones himself. He greeted me with a smile and welcomed me to OWU. A serendipitous encounter that doesn't happen to many--greeted by the president himself on your first day. For those who were at OWU while Rock was president, they don't often grasp the unusuality of that moment because Rock was always out and about--you could catch him any weekday walking along students going to class while he walked to his office, and oftentimes up in the stands of Selby Stadium, Branch Rickey Arena, and Jay Martin Complex cheering on OWU's student-athletes. Walking with Rock on your way to class was commonplace. Commencement Day could only go on once you'd had breakfast in Rock and Melissa's backyard with your family. He made himself an iconic fixture of campus. You will be missed in Delaware, OH, but the contributions and connections you've made are boundless. Thank you for all you've done for OWU and its community. Your dedication and passion have made OWU a cherished home for many.

Rock & Melissa,

You have truly made OWU such a special place worthy of all the reasons I loved OWU as a student and now as an alum. I will miss you both so much, but I am so excited for you to enjoy retirement together with your family -so well deserved! Thank you for your tireless hours of service on behalf of OWU; it truly has made the difference in the lives of countless individuals!

Rock and Melissa,

Your commitment and passion about OWU is contagious and has propelled this university to new heights! Thank you for all you’ve done to enable us to build forward and continue to be a flourishing liberal arts institution. I wish you happiness and joy as you embark on your new adventure!

Rock & Melissa:
Thank you for your leadership, commitment, and dedication to Ohio Wesleyan over the past 15 years! It is hard to imagine an OWU without you both and I feel fortunate to have worked at OWU during your tenure.

I’ve deeply valued the care and compassion you’ve shown the OWU community and by extension their families. Your ability to connect with everyone you meet, remember the important things, and your personal outreach during both challenging and celebratory times, will be something I will remember always.

Wishing you all the best as you head into this next chapter of new adventures!

Katie Webster