Blake Tobey, assistant director of the Academic Success Center (ASC), will be leaving Doane at the end of this semester to start a new chapter.
Tobey has long been involved with Doane, a two-time Doane graduate, who was involved with the OWL, Adventure Zone, Band, Choir, Relay for Life, the Cardinal Key and was even a Community Advisor.
He returned to his Alma Mater in March of 2022. “I always knew, even as an undergrad, that I wanted to come back to Doane someday, and give back to this institution,” Tobey said. “And so when I saw the ASC was hiring for a position, I applied right away.”
Tobey spoke about how he was proud of the work he’s done in the ASC, especially the Peer Mentorship Program. “When I started, I had about six mentors who were on staff. Now we’re hiring for 35 next year,” Tobey said.
He explained how when he started his position, the ASC had just been moved from the Perry Pod to its current location, and the office was trying to get students through the door. Enter Georgie, Tobey’s dog. Tobey admits bringing Georgie to campus began as a bit of a gimmick to get more people into the office. “Then we realised that he was more than a gimmick. Like, students were coming in stressed and needing to see Georgie. So that’s why he’s now a five-day-a-week feature in the office,” Tobey said.
Since returning to Doane, Tobey has been involved in the theatre program. He was assistant music director for “Between the Lines,” Director of “A Map of Virtue” and has helped with intimacy choreography for a few shows. He recently completed his Master’s in Fine Arts through the University of Idaho’s Theatre program. Tobey explains he’s always had a love for theatre, but he went to a small school with a minimal theatre presence. As a result, he never considered it a job.
Tobey has been hired as Midland University’s Director of Theatre. “I think what I’m most looking forward to is being able to create with students again,” Tobey said.
Reflecting on his time as a student, Tobey spoke fondly of choir and band tours and time spent in the dorms. As an employee, Tobey shared that his favourite moments were the unexpected ones, where students would pop in to chat or share a success story. He spoke fondly of Halloween costume contests with the ASC staff and planning events for students.
Tobey has spoken with Midland about bringing Georgie with him to his new office, but he’s also told the ASC staff that if that doesn’t work out, “they’re welcome to pick him up and bring him to school in my absence.”
Tobey is working with the Executive Director of the ASC, Beth Jacobson, to write the job description for his position, but he likely won’t be involved with the interview process. However, he is open to training the new assistant director or aiding them with their new role. He also mentioned he may someday, down the line, return to Doane.
“One parting thought for the Doane community in general is just a huge thank you. I’m just so grateful for the college caring about me again, even though I haven’t been a student for many, many years. Doane still felt like a home I could come back to,” Tobey said.
Tobey wanted to tell students that “once you walk through Cassel with your diploma, that doesn’t mean you’re done with Doane,” it’s always a place to return to.
