 "Photo:")
Once Richard Nault, Miami University's outgoing vice president for student affairs, was asked if he had any children.
He replied yes-he has 16,000 children everyday.
Saturday night at Millett Hall, more than 300 of his "children" held a surprise tribute dinner to the man they knew as their fraternity adviser. In addition to his extensive work as the vice president for student affairs at Miami, Nault spent 10 years as the faculty adviser to Kappa Alpha Order fraternity (KA).
During his 25 years at Miami University, Richard Nault got to know thousands of students and worked with countless campus organizations, including Associated Student Government (ASG), Student Affairs Council and Student Court.
2005 Miami almumnus Nick Acordino summed up how he saw Nault by telling a story of a meal the two shared, where on the way and during the meal, everyone seemed to know him. The waitress even asked if Nault wanted the usual seat and meal.
"I thought, either this guy needs to find another place to eat, or he's the man on this campus," Acordino said. "As we've all found out later, Dr. Nault is the man on this campus."
Previous to being named vice president of student affairs, Nault was Miami's dean of students where he lobbied student concerns and voices at Oxford city council meetings. Nault has also served on the Student-Community Relations Commission and the Community Advocacy Alliance.
Because of his continuing involvement in the Oxford community, Oxford Mayor Prue Dana announced at the tribute dinner that April 5, 2008 was "Dr. Richard Nault Day" in Oxford.
Additionally, a Richard Nault fund was endowed by KA to assist fraternity advisers. He was also presented a plaque by KA's Knight Commander Mike Duncan and given a book full of letters from 95 KA men who wrote about the effect Nault had on their lives during their time at Miami.
At the end of the night, an emotional Nault expressed his love for the men who held the tribute. He said they are an inspiration in his life.
"It was one of the most moving experiences in my life," Nault said in a later interview. "I was shocked."
Nault said his passion for keeping connected with students was fueled by his motivation to be involved, despite holding such an important position in Miami's administration for the past several years.
"When you're a senior administrator, you spend a lot of time on budgets and other reports," he said. "I've tried to work directly with two to three student organizations (and) it's not only personally rewarding, but it allows me to stay in contact with students interested in various activities."
After his retirement, Nault, who spent his entire career in education, plans on working part-time at Miami for two years as a teacher and directing a college student personnel project on student integrity. He will also stay as KA's faculty adviser, a role those at the dinner were glad he's continuing.
2006 alumnus Allen Penn was able to summarize Nault's work with the fraternity in just one sentence.
"Passion is what separates a gentleman from a man," Penn said. "And what separates Dr. Nault from (just another) faculty adviser."
Nault will retire June 30 and will be replaced by Barbara Jones.
