Employees from both the Student Health Services and Ice Arena have had their hands full lately.

The search is underway for a new director of the Student Health Services. Buddy Powers, former University hockey coach, was recently selected as the new director of the Ice Arena.

According to Bettina Shuford, Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs, the University has sought out a candidate who can relate well with college students to direct the Student Health Services.

“We were looking for someone who has had previous experience and has worked in higher education,” Shuford said. “Someone who understands the health concerns and needs of college students.”

Rebecca Utz, assistant director for radiology, has been serving as the interim director of Student Health Services.

An internal search committee for Student Health Services has interviewed 24 candidates and has narrowed the search down to one who was invited back to the University to look over the campus.

“The decision hasn’t been made yet, but it will rest with Vice President, Edward Whipple, and myself,” Shuford said.

The selection committee for the Ice Arena chose Powers from a list of 25 candidates.

“The selection committee made the review and then gave the application to me, which I then looked over the situation and made that selection,” said Richard Bowers, Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs.

According to Bowers, one of the biggest challenges Powers will face will be renovating the Arena.

“It is 40 years old next year, and there is a strong need for upgrading the old operational system and ice making equipment; basically all of the components of the ice arena,” Bowers said. “This will involve and need someone who has strong vision and the ability to raise funds.”

Powers will replace Gordon Sokoll as Director of the Ice Arena. Student Health Services is searching for someone to fill the shoes of Dr. Josh Kaplan.

According to Shuford the biggest obstacle the new Student Health Services director will face will be trying to fill Kaplan’s shoes.

“The challenge will be replacing a director who had years of experience and was highly respected by his colleagues,” Shuford said.

Kaplan passed away in January, ending a five-year battle with cancer. Under Kaplan’s direction Student Health Services added physical therapy services and evening hours to treat patients. They also offered health services to the spouses and children of students for one semester after graduation.

Powers will enter a similar situation when he takes the Ice Arena’s directorial position formerly occupied by Sokoll, who died of pancreaitis in December. Sokoll served as director since 1992.

Lona Leck, assistant director of the Ice Arena worked aside Sokoll. She thinks Sokoll influenced the performance of other employees.

“Randy was a good man to work with,” Leck said. “He empowered me to use creativity in program development, listened when counsel was needed and gave all of the Ice Arena staff the latitude to perform our jobs to the best of our ability.”