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Betty Wagner retiring after 45 years of serving CMU students

Leaving a legacy of steadfast service and mentorship

After 45 years working at Central Michigan University, Betty Wagner is proud of the service she has offered students and families. Although she says she is still surprised by some of the questions she fields. One question regarding rodents stands out.

“A mom called me in a panic because her son had moved off campus and his roommate was raising rats. He had 21 rats in this apartment,” Wagner said. She was able to confirm that raising rats violated Mount Pleasant city ordinances and helped to resolve the issue. “I love problem-solving, and you never know what kind of question you’re going to get.”

Black and white photo of Betty Wagner sitting at a desk with CMU brochures laid out in front of her and smiling in 1998. — Betty Wagner as CMU's Director of Admissions in her office in 1998.

Betty Wagner, currently the Assistant Director of Student Success and Family Services, will retire from CMU on June 19, closing out a celebrated career that involved taking on many roles and touching the lives of countless students and colleagues.

A deep CMU connection

Wagner’s time at CMU began as a student in 1974, studying History, English and Library Science. After two years teaching in Webberville, she was informed of an open Residence Hall Director position at CMU, and jumped at the chance to return to campus and earn a master’s degree in counseling.

In 1979, Wagner was hired as an admissions recruiter for CMU, starting a legendary run in the admissions department. One that would have Wagner assume the role of admissions director in 1994, a position she held for 18 years.

“That old expression that CMU is large enough to matter and small enough to care always rang true for me,” Wagner said. “We kept that personalized feeling for students.”

Leading admissions to success

While in admissions, Wagner’s personalized approach to recruiting resulted in several signature programs that successfully reached potential CMU students. She is proud to have been on the committee that created the Centralis scholarship program to attract talented honors students. As admissions director, Wagner also developed a pre-orientation program that visited high schools across the state, bringing representatives from student affairs and academic departments right to potential students.

The Campus Ambassador program was formed under Wagner’s leadership, turning a relatively uncoordinated effort to showcase CMU into a fine-tuned recruitment tool. Campus tour guides were volunteers who received no training and offered an inconsistent experience for visitors. “I decided that I wanted to take the program and bring it into the admissions office,” Wagner said. “We started interviewing them and providing them with training before they would do tours. At that time, we would offer five tours a day. There were tours going out all the time, and they were very popular.”

Proof of Wagner’s success can be found in the numbers. During her 18 years as Director of Admissions, she oversaw over 1,800 CMU recruitment events, and admitted more than 200,000 freshman and transfer students.

“I was in the glory days of admissions,” Wagner said. “I hope we get back to some of those larger freshman and transfer classes because we are an outstanding institution, and we provide an excellent education that I hope more and more students can take advantage of.”

A valued mentor

It was not only students who benefitted over the decades from Wagner’s dedication to serving others. With an emphasis on leadership and the support of her colleagues, Wagner is considered a mentor to many.

Erin Smith-Gaken, former Director of New Student Orientation at CMU said Wagner was a strong advocate for her staff, supporting professional growth and career advancement while taking time to know everyone personally. “The time I was lucky enough to serve under Betty’s leadership, I easily saw and felt the care and respect she showed her team, but also witnessed her determination to ensure CMU always shined its bright maroon and gold,” Smith-Gaken said.

Black and white photo of Betty Wagner holding a clipboard and walking on campus alongside CMU's 12th president Michael Rao. — Betty Wagner with CMU's 12th president, Michael Rao, walking near the reconstruction of Park Library in 2000.

Wagner points to a mentor of her own who inspired her to be that person for others. Michael Owens was the Director of Admissions when Wagner started in 1979. She says Owens instilled in her the importance of acting as a mentor to new staff members and even students she recruited.

“I really cherish all of the relationships I’ve been able to establish throughout my time at CMU,” Wagner said. “It’s always a joy to watch them even after they leave and go on to lead successful careers and lives. It just makes you feel good that you might have had a small impact on them along the way.”

A legacy of service

The impact that Betty Wagner has had on generations of CMU students and staff is likely bigger than she is willing to admit. She hopes her legacy is that she provided outstanding customer service. “The number one thing I stressed throughout my career was that you only get one chance to make a first impression. Provide them with services, under-promise and over-deliver,” Wagner said.

Reflecting on the positive difference Wagner has made at CMU, current vice president of Student Recruitment and Retention Jennifer DeHaemers said, “Betty has a tremendous legacy at CMU. From leading the admissions operations for many years, to her work with families and supporters of our students, Betty has a heart for service and we will certainly miss her at CMU.”

Wagner’s plan for retirement includes plenty of travel with her family and continuing to serve her community through service. She plans to volunteer with groups such as the William and Janet Strickler Nonprofit Center and Moms Demand Action. She hopes to keep using the problem-solving skills she used for 45 years at CMU to continue helping others, though it is unlikely she will have to solve any more rodent problems.

“I've loved every moment here. I feel like I worked hard and gave back to the university. But Central has given me so much,” Wagner said. “It's been home for 45 years and I'm going to be sad to leave it and leave the friends I've made, but it's time for the next chapter.”

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