During Dolak’s tenure as executive director of Housing & Dining Services, the residential areas on campus were transformed from the basic H-shaped dormitories of the 1960s into collaborative and state-of-the-art living learning communities with integrated classrooms, updated student amenities, modern dining facilities and sustainable design.
“Jim left an incredible legacy on this campus during his 36 years in Housing & Dining Services. He was caring, passionate, wise and a brilliant manager who always strived to learn more and to be better,” said Mari Strombom, executive director of Housing & Dining Services who served as the associate executive director with him for many years.
During his time as executive director of Housing & Dining, Dolak transformed the residential side of campus through multiple construction projects, including new buildings (Summit, Academic Village, Laurel Village and Aggie Village); fourth floor and lobby additions to Braiden and Parmelee; major lobby renovations in Ingersoll and International House; and updated exteriors on Ingersoll, Edwards, Corbett, and Newsom. He also oversaw renovations of all existing dining centers including Corbett, Durrell, Braiden and relocation of the Bake Shop.
“During Jim’s tenure, on-campus housing capacity increased significantly,” Strombom said. “Jim’s vision ensured that these construction projects weren’t just building beds, they were creating a living and learning community that supported students, were sustainable and elevated the campus aesthetic.”
As the director of Housing & Dining, Dolak showed great vision and was able to translate it into reality said Dave McKelfresh, a long-time colleague and friend. “He believed in the power of the residential experience, and the positive and lasting impact on college students,” McKelfresh said. “He will be remembered as a leader who managed the largest department on campus with great foresight, humility, and compassion.”
Dolak is survived by his wife, Rachel Moriarty, and their three daughters, Taylor, Morgan and Harper. He was a devoted husband and loving father who put his family first. He enjoyed skiing, sailing, swimming, tennis, fly fishing, reading and listening to Paul Simon and Garrison Keillor.
As the family shared in his obituary: “Jim was humble at work and home, was always looking to lend a helping hand, he genuinely loved to make people laugh and he impressed people with his impeccable memory. He was knowingly kind, giving, hard-working, supportive, helpful and unconditionally loving to everyone around him.”
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