James Chitwood, University of Wisconsin Oshkosh’s dean of students, recently received the Distinguished Alumnus award from UW-Platteville.

Chitwood graduated from UW-Platteville in 1969, earning a bachelor of science degree in sociology and American history. After graduation, he taught sociology and early American history at East High School and Preble High School in Green Bay. During this time, he also earned a master of science from UW-Platteville in guidance and counseling. In 1973, Chitwood became assistant director of the McCowen Residence Hall at the University of Northern Colorado and was responsible for coordinating orientation programs for freshmen and their parents during the summer. The position marked the beginning of Chitwood’s extensive career contributions to the betterment of residence hall experience of college students.

By 1981, Chitwood had earned a Ph.D. in college student personnel administration and returned to Wisconsin where he became director of residence life at UW Oshkosh. Today, he serves as the dean of students, having been appointed to the position in 2006. Additionally, Chitwood is involved in the UW System Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Task Force, which aims to curtail substance abuse on University of Wisconsin campuses. He has also been host of the Oshkosh Placement Exchange since 1981 and president, keynote speaker and public schools representative of the Wisconsin College Personnel Association.

Chitwood currently sits on the Awards and Scholarship Committee of the Association of College and University Housing Officers (ACUHO). In 2007, he received the international association’s Parthenon Award, its highest honor. In the past, he has also been named an ACUHO-I Foundation of Excellence honoree.