Mike Rossman '73
Senior Associate Director of Admission

When he speaks with high school juniors and seniors about the college selection process, Mike Rossman emphasizes "seeking out a college of good fit." He says he found just that upon arriving at Southwestern as a freshman from Tyler. And 35 years later, the University still fits him just fine.

"I enjoy being an admission counselor," he says. "I enjoy my role in guiding young people who are making critical decisions. Southwestern is a dynamic place; it sells itself. But we are mindful that it is not for everyone, and we want everyone who comes here to be successful and happy."

Despite setting records for applications in each of the past two years, Rossman says the admission staff is committed to placing the individual at the forefront of their work, offering personal interviews to each applicant and developing personal relationships with prospective students. "We have more than three times the number of applications now than we had 20 years ago. Southwestern has grown and changed, with new opportunities available for each new generation we recruit. We have to keep up with the pace."

At a time when many universities are remaining economically conservative, Southwestern has recently rolled out a new concept in its merit scholarship program. It allows students to see up front, even before applying, how much scholarship money they would be offered based on a list of criteria that includes class ranking, SAT or ACT score and academic distinctions, among others.

"I think this is further evidence that Southwestern will be bold when others are being more cautious. So far, it has been well received. If we can get parents and students past the immediate concerns over cost, they are more willing to see the value of a Southwestern experience."

Rossman says the benefits from his own Southwestern education are immeasurable, even though he admits to "stumbling into the place by luck." Growing up the son of a doctor in East Texas, he knew only of the University because a friend had gone here and said it had a strong pre-med program. Although that was his initial interest, he emerged as a psychology major thanks to the tutelage of Professor Doug Hooker. He credits Hooker's ongoing advice and friendship as an influential part of his professional career.

During his senior year, he was accepted to seminary, but chose not to go immediately after graduation. Instead, Southwestern's admission office was expanding its staff to hire recent graduates. Rossman decided to sign the first of several "one-year contracts." It wasn't until the arrival of Vice President for Enrollment Management John Lind in 1981 that Rossman saw his work as a potential career.

"John brought a great model of professionalism to the admission effort at Southwestern. We all started thinking that this was something to do beyond the next contract. And a seasoned staff made a big difference in our admission approach." Only recently has Rossman truly felt the longevity of his work as he has begun working with the children of alumni he recruited to Southwestern. "It's fun," he says, "but it also reminds me that I'm getting a little long in the tooth."

Rossman is married to Southwestern Instructor of Music Pamela Rossman '72, whom he met as a part of a "required date" while pledging the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity. Though they have worked on different sides of campus, both share thirty years of service to the University community. He has recently gone through college searches with his two children, Mary Anna, a junior at Mary Hardin-Baylor, and Ross, a first-year student at Texas Christian University. When he's not on the road recruiting and interviewing students, Rossman enjoys photography and collecting music.

-Greg Holland

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