Passing of Mercedes Habenicht-Dyer: Residence-Hall Dean for Many—Dean Educator to the World July 8, 1917 – September 30, 2011A Tribute by Don Murray
MERCEDES HABENICHT-DYER:
Residence-Hall Dean for Many—Dean Educator to the World
July 8, 1917 – September 30, 2011
May I share a slice of the multi-faceted life of Mercedes Dyer
that some of you may not have known. In her day, Mercedes
was the primary educator of Adventist residence-hall deans
around the world. Yes, she had been a dean herself—first at
Shenandoah Valley Academy (1940-1941), then at Cedar Lake
Academy (1941-1943), finally returning again to Shenandoah
Valley (1943-1947). In 1947, she became dean of women at
River Platte College in Argentina.
Five years later she returned home to America to become
the dean of women at what was then called Columbia Union
College. Her deaning tenure lasted for 17 years. In time
her role at CUC evolved into directing the Guidance and
Counseling Center and, later, to becoming Dean of Students.
In 1942, a professional journal had been started by the
Department of Education at the General Conference of
Seventh-day Adventists. Its goal was to educate and nurture
the development of residence-hall deans around the world.
The journal was called The Dean’s Window. Mercedes became
the editor in 1957.
Also in 1957, the Department of Education at the General
Conference asked Mercedes to develop the first residence-
hall dean’s workshop in an Adventist setting where academic
credit was offered. In 1961, the Dyers moved to Michigan,
and Mercedes became a professor in the Department of
Education at the new Andrews University. Two years later, the
Residence-Hall Dean’s Workshop followed her there.
I first heard about Mercedes Dyer in August of 1963. I was
student dean at Walla Walla College and responsible for
managing the summer program and preparing for the fall term.
Monte Culver and Norman Woods, the two deans, had traveled
to Andrews University to attend that first workshop. When
they returned they were more than enthusiastic about their
experience, and they were effusive in their descriptive praise
of Mercedes Dyer. Over and over they exclaimed, “Murray,
you just have to meet her!” They also presented me with a
subscription to The Deans Window. I was hooked! I knew that
someday I would meet Mercedes Dyer, and I hoped it would be
sooner than later.
It was nine years, however, before I was able to attend the
workshop at Andrews. On a Monday morning in June of 1973,
the workshop convened in the gym of Lamson Hall. Mercedes
was there to greet each one personally as we moved into the
gym. When it was my turn, I introduced myself by name and
school. Mercedes smiled, shook my hand and quietly said, “I’ve
heard of you!”
Wow! The earth shifted on its axis, the Morman Tabernacle
Choir began to sing the “Hallelujah Chorus,” the Dow Jones
average jumped up 120 points, and a rainbow settled on
Lamson Hall. It was amazing! Mercedes Dyer had heard of me!
I was transformed into a serious disciple of the master dean-
educator, and a serious student of both the art and the science
of deaning.
I had come to that workshop somewhat discouraged by a very
difficult year at Blue Mountain Academy. Fifteen days later,
I left the workshop convinced of my calling and seriously
pondering the vast potential of the ministry of deaning—a
potential I realized I was only beginning to tap. I remember
that I kept repeating to myself, “So this is what deaning is all
about!”
The next workshop was scheduled for 1975, and Mercedes
asked me if I would assist her. She wanted me to be
responsible for three professional presentations, and she
coached me through each of them.
A quantum leap in the profession was made at that 1975
workshop. Mercedes told us that she believed that it was time
to form a professional organization for residence-hall deans.
She asked for volunteers to become part of an “exploration
committee.” That brought David Penner, Gary Dickson, Faye
Blix, and myself into the heady role of developing what was to
become by 1978, the Adventist Student Personnel Association
(ASPA). In fact, it was Mercedes herself who suggested the
name.
I want you to know that I loved Mercedes Dyer. Ours was a
professional relationship that deepened over time to mutual
trust, mutual respect, and genuine affection. In 1984, I became
the editor of The Dean’s Window, following in the footsteps of
Mercedes. Also in 1984, Mercedes and I, joined by our spouses,
traveled to England to conduct a Dean’s Workshop for the
Trans-European Division. It was at Newbold College that the
first international region of ASPA was organized and officers
were elected for EUR-ASPA.
In 1985, following Mercedes, I was asked by the GC to become
director of the Dean’s Workshops at Andrews. That led to
even more opportunities. Soon, the Dyers and the Murrays
were traveling to Montemorelos University in Mexico for a
workshop. We assisted those attending in organizing and
electing officers for the ASPA-DIA international region of ASPA.
ASPA recognized the unique contributions Mercedes Dyer had
made to the profession. In 1983 she was presented with the
very first “Excellence in Service” award, and in 2002 she was
the first to receive ASPA’s highest compliment, “The Lifetime
Achievement” award.
We last saw Mercedes just a few Sabbaths ago, and her sharing
was filled with the same faith and confidence that I had heard
many times before. She knew herself well, and she knew God
intimately! After we prayed with her, she walked us to the
front door of her independent-living complex. Along the way,
with a smile on her face, and in that same quiet voice I had first
heard in 1973, she said, “We did some good things together,
didn’t we?” It was her final gift to me—a very precious gift
indeed!
Written and read by Donald W. Murray
at the funeral for Dr. Mercedes Dyer
October 5, 2011
Pioneer Memorial Church
Andrews University
