Dr. Paul Fidler, Professor Emeritus at the University of South Carolina, has over 35 years experience in student affairs and higher education administration. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Duke University, his Master of Education at the University of South Carolina, and his Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration from Florida State University. He has spent most of his professional career at USC where he has juggled administrative and faculty duties on a daily basis. He teaches courses on student affairs administration and institutional assessment in higher education, and he administers the graduate internship program. Dr. Fidler’s research interests include student retention, evaluation of the First Year Experience, and the impact of Campus Ministry Programs.

Dr. Fidler is a loyal man whom all can admire. He retired from the US Naval Reserve with the rank of Captain following 25 years of active duty and reserve service. A few of his numerous distinctions at USC include serving as the first graduate student in the Student Personnel Services/Administration Program and the first Director of Student Aid (Financial Aid), establishing the Center for Undeclared Majors as well as the Career Center, serving as a liaison to the Carolina Chaplains Association, and acting as an evaluator of University 101.

Other professional and civic leadership roles include serving as the South Carolina College Personnel Association President for two terms, serving as Faculty Secretary to Omicron Delta Kappa National Leadership Honorary, serving on the Board of Directors for the Columbia Chamber of Commerce, serving as a Board of Director for the Wesley Foundation, chairing the South Carolina Easter Seal Educational Endowment Fund, as well as serving on the Board of Directors for the Southern College Placement Association. In addition, some of his honors include receiving the Outstanding ODK Faculty Secretary of the Year Award, the Outstanding Faculty/Staff Award at USC, the Mortar Board Excellence in Teaching Award, the USC Educational Foundation’s Distinguished Faculty Service Award, as well as an Honorary Lifetime membership in both the Greater USC Alumni Association and the South Carolina College Personnel Association.

Dr. Fidler is a courageous man. Despite his numerous accomplishments, commitments, and sacrifices to students at USC and throughout the country, he is currently fighting leukemia. Dr. Fidler is battling Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia and we are asking for your help. CLL is a blood cancer in which the bone marrow makes too few infection-fighting white blood cells. CLL typically attacks people over the age of 55, and is relatively slow to progress.

The Student Personnel Association at USC and Delta Tau Delta Fraternity have partnered with The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society in an event named the Fidler 5K. On Saturday, March 2, 2002 at 10:00am, several hundred students and community residents will take part in a 5K run/walk at the Blatt PE Center on the campus of the University of South Carolina to honor and support Dr. Paul Fidler. Our hope is that you take part in this benefit run/walk and consider making a donation to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

The Fidler 5K is an event to honor Dr. Fidler and to raise the awareness of leukemia and its effects on human lives. Your support and financial contributions are vital to the success of the Fidler 5K. We are seeking organizations, departments, and individuals who can help fight the battle against leukemia. Due to overwhelming sponsor support, all proceeds will be collected and given directly on behalf of Dr. Fidler to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Please help support the fight against leukemia by sending a donation to the address below. Your contribution will be greatly appreciated.

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