GAZELLE MAGAZINE APRIL 2018 | Page 80

COMMUNITY & CULTURE

TAKE IT FROM ME … with Beth Stroble

HARD-WORKING . PASSIONATE LEARNER . LEADER .
By Diane Kline

Whether Beth Stroble is talking about her childhood or her career , the words “ hardworking ” creep into the conversation . Her focus and drive have led to many achievements , starting as a high school English teacher in rural Illinois , eventually taking her to the helm of Webster University , where she has served as president since 2009 .

Overall , only 30 percent of university presidents are women , which makes Stroble ’ s accomplishment even more impressive . She is the first person in her family to graduate from college , and went on to earn two masters degrees and a Ph . D . During her career , she ’ s held various academic positions , including professor , dean , provost and COO at several institutions .
A self-avowed “ eager beaver ,” Stroble always wants to be learning something new . She ’ s even joined the handbell choir at church just to challenge herself . She and Paul , her husband of 34 years and a United Methodist minister , have an adult daughter , Emily , who is studying Asian culture .
Stroble ’ s life proves her belief that no matter where you start out , you can end up in a different place . She shares her thoughts on how she got there .
My mom began as a bank teller and rose to bank president . This was in the 1980s , and she didn ’ t have a college degree . Her poise , presence and competency were recognized . She gave me practical advice , especially about resistance she met as a woman in banking . One time , I visited the bank wearing blue jeans . She made it very clear that reflected badly on her , because she was a leader . I still heed that advice .
My first husband ’ s death was a tragedy - and also a gift . I was married to my first husband , Jim , for five years when he was diagnosed with cancer . His treatments and surgeries were at Barnes- Jewish Hospital , an hour and a half from our home in Vandalia , Illinois . I worked during the day , then stayed overnight at the hospital , only to drive back to work in the morning . It ’ s a life habit to depend on myself , but I had to learn to let others help . When Paul died , there was such loneliness , and I asked God to use his death to help me sort things out in my life .
The best way to influence people is to let them come to their own conclusions . I learned about leadership as chairman of the curriculum committee at the University of Louisville . You have to depend on many other people and hope that differences of opinions will make the group stronger . I arranged for us to spend time together and read things in common so that ideas came from sources other than me , but they reflected the direction I wanted to go .
People need to see that you ’ re calm and in control . I learned this early when working as a waitress during college . In the kitchen , there ’ s tension , conflict and anxiety , but in front of the diners , it had to look like we had everything under control . That ’ s how I approach my work . I stay calm , and if I ’ m facing something beyond what I know how to do , then I figure it out .
Don ’ t give them a reason to say no to you . In my academic career I ’ ve had many roles . My advice to women I mentor is don ’ t give anyone a reason to say no before they meet you . Get experience in whatever is lacking – maybe budgeting , raising money or managing people . Find a way to get it on your resume .
My husband calls me the “ Crusader Rabbit .” I have limitless energy , and once I ’ ve decided something is important , I ’ m dedicated to the mission or the task . Becoming president at Webster University came with a steep learning curve , and I asked myself , “ How quickly can I come up to speed ?” Every university is at a defining moment , and it ’ s a big opportunity for us to find a path that mixes tradition with innovation .
You can exceed all expectations of what people thought you were capable of doing . Affecting students is the affirmation of my career , of my life . And it fuels me to keep at it . I hope the students I ’ ve taught or worked with would say I helped them realize their potential . But I haven ’ t realized mine , yet . I do not feel done .
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