Mack Reynolds - Advisor of the Year - 1997

Department of Construction Management

"In reviewing the many letters and supporting documents, I am struck by the various 'academic advisor' roles Professor Reynolds played. There are numerous testimonies from students and colleagues alike to his deep concern and caring attitude toward all students, not just ones who happened to be his major advisees. He often held advising sessions on weekends and in the evenings for those not available during his regular office hours. He arranged to be available during most of the summer orientation sessions, and he offered advising help to students during social settings--e.g., student organization picnics--as well as more formal settings such as career days. He uniquely developed a department advising aid, the Construction Management flow chart, which has guided majors, and faculty advising those majors, and has been used as a model by department chairs across campus."

--Manuel A. Esteban
President, California State University, Chico

"In my opinion he simply did an outstanding job of balancing his availability to advisees with his teaching and committee responsibilities and in staying on top of his disciplines as well as current and responsive with regard to advising.
I cannot remember Mack not participating in the various advisor training programs our office provided every year. I think he was always there. he willingly served on an orientation program review committee and in other ways contributed his time and knowledge in improving our campus advising programs."

--Robert Standing
Retired Director, Advising & Orientation

"Mack's student advising did not stop when I graduated. During the ten years since my graduation, I have stayed in touch with Mack and he continued to offer advice regarding various career decisions in my life."

--Richard G. Holman
Alumni

"...he possessed a very caring attitude towards the students; strove to inform them of the alternatives available; and helped them develop a plan to achieve their goals. Mack made himself available to student by holding many office hours through the week; he scheduled himself to meet the majority to the summer orientation sessions; he was very willing and often held advising sessions on weekends and evenings for those to whom meeting during normal office hours was a hardship. He readily provided the additional time needed by returning students aiding them in designing a curriculum to meet their unique combinations of academic and industry experience."

--Rovane Younger
Chair, Construction Management

"One of the things that impresses me about Mack is his genuine interest in students which is apparent to anyone who sees him interacting with students. His willingness to spend time with them and to work through their problems helps to explain his large coterie of admiring students. But, he goes further; he takes the time and energy needed to do those behind-the-scenes things that make students' lives here at Chico State run more smoothly and easily, things that they wouldn't notice unless absent."

--Sara Armstrong
Vice Provost for Academic Affairs

"It is so sad to think that such a kind-hearted man and dedicated teacher is no longer a part of our lives. He had an enthusiasm for student learning and an incredibly supportive attitude toward students' academic endeavors. As a graduate student and someone very new to the world of construction, Mack was always there to answer my questions and, many times, allay my fears. I could count on him to give me sound advice and even though our interests with construction were different, he was always supportive of my efforts."

--Erin Brown
Student