ATUS' Rick Nichols to retire Jan. 5
WWU Associate Director of Academic Technology and User Services Rick Nichols will retire on Jan. 5 after more than 35 years of service to the university.
Rick earned a bachelor’s degree in business and a master’s degree in political science, both from Western. As an undergraduate, he was a student employee in the Outdoor Center and an AS club officer. He started working at Western in 1990 as a buyer in the Purchasing Department. Later he became the Purchasing Manger before moving to ATUS in 2000 as the Help Desk Manager and then Associate Director. From 1991-2023 he was also an adjunct faculty member in what was called Physical Education, Health, and Recreation and later named Health and Human Development.
Additional areas in which Rick served include being a member of the Staff Employees Council, an Equal Opportunity Center complaint investigator, and as Western’s Combined Fund Drive chair and county board member. He is also the proud parent of two Western graduates, Leah Nichols and Haley Nichols, who were also both student employees as undergraduates.
“Of the various contributions I’ve made to the university, the one that I’m most proud of and feel has had the greatest impact has been on the hiring, coaching, and collaborating with a uniquely talented and dedicated collection of individuals,” Nichols said.
Nichols' colleague Chris Miller commented on Nichols' legacy at Western.
"Rick has built a culture of care and service to others, and he leaves a legacy of dedicated professionals he has hired along the way who will keep that culture alive,” Miller said.
Rick was the hiring official, search committee chair, or search committee member for the following stellar Western employees during his career: Debby Short, Debbi Baughn, Rita Sinclair, Audrey Anderson, George Liu, Susan Brown, Sean Stockburger, Chris Miller, Nancy Larson, Mariah Warner, Dave Creel, Erik Favro, Russell Stetzer, Tim Alfonso, Josh Seyer, Benjamin Hoekstra, James DeWine, Kris Hamrick, Ivonne Barnett, Darrin Britton, Peter Atwater, Natalie Garcia, Aspen Clark, Trevor Heater, Viet Le, Scott Hardie, Jabez Kizer, Dennis Terrell, Colleen van Pelt, Nathan Moore, Derrick Michaelson, Jared Havens, Justin Hagel, Chief Doug Gill, and dozens of student employees.
Rick has been recognized with individual and team presidential awards and, although honored with those, he is most pleased that he is remembered as a person of warmth and character.
ATUS' Mariah Warner expressed what working alongside Nichols has meant to her.
“It has been a great honor to work with someone who has integrity, wisdom, patience, and kindness. You are an example of what most people strive to be,” Warner said.
ATUS Director John Farquhar echoed Warner's sentiment.
"I could not identify a more principled professional than Rick ... always concerned about equity, and checking in with others to ensure that he is being fair."
Andy Peterson added that “perhaps most of all I remember numerous incidents of kindness on your part. That's what is foremost in my mind and that's what I will most remember about my time working with you.”
In retirement, Rick will be enjoying more days skiing in the winter, hiking in the summer, adventuring in the beautiful Pacific Northwest and elsewhere, and enjoying time with his loving family and friends.
Please help Rick celebrate his retirement. There will be an informal gathering at Stemma West brewery (the old Twin Sisters) on the mezzanine on Monday, Dec. 29, from 4-6 p.m.