After 30 years of dedicated service and support for the University, Chris Dalton is now ready to step down and enjoy the freedom of retirement.

Dalton came to BGSU in 1977 for the position of associate professor of chemistry,and several years later became involved in the finance and budget committees. He is now the vice president of finance and administration, a position he would have never foreseen himself holding as a young chemistry professor.

An integral part in financial planning for the University, Dalton is effective at letting everyone know where they stand and what they can afford.

According to Executive Vice President Linda Dobb, Dalton is among the best at what he does.

“One of his greatest contributions is explaining time and time again to all of us [administrators] how the budget works and involving everyone in the decision making that helps to get a contributed picture of the budget together,” Dobb said.

Dalton’s initial work as a scientist gave him certain skills that aided his work in financial planning.

“As a scientist … you learn a lot of analytical skills, a lot of mathematical applications. The analytical skills have been really helpful in the finance end and the administration end,” Dalton said.

The Daltons will be remembered for their contributions, especially the recent creation of the Givens Fellowship.

Dalton and his wife Ellen decided to create the Stuart R. Givens Fellowship in 2006. They got the idea from a similar program that had been created at the University of North Carolina, Dalton said.

This fellowship gives a year of funding to two undergraduates to pursue a passionate interest in a self-designed experience.

This creates the opportunity for students to fulfill a dream they never thought possible.

“I think it’s important because it’s an opportunity for a couple of students to pursue something, to learn more about something, to get involved in something as passion that they’ve had … It helps them gain involvement in something that could be transforming in terms of their life,” Dalton said.

Don Nieman, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, administered the fellowship.

“I think the concern for students, the concern for helping students really do their best, speaks volumes of who Chris and Ellen Dalton are,” Nieman said.

The actions of the Daltons only furthers to prove their self-less mentality.

Most people might assume Dalton graduated from BGSU, because of his loyalty and continual presence at many school related events.

But Dalton’s love for the University came from his many years of service in Bowling Green.

The ability to help others has always been a driving force in Dalton’s work.

“You try to find the resources for people to be able to accomplish what they want to accomplish. People have lots of good ideas and unfortunately can’t find the resources, so you try to help find the resources for the people,” Dalton said.

As for his plans upon retirement, Dalton said he would do everything that he did not have the time for previously, such as traveling. But he noted his presence will still be made at University events.