Bailey Thompson | News Editor

After 32 years at Western, Dr. Sharon Oberst is within her final month as a dance professor and the dance chair for the university. Looking back on those years, Dr. Oberst reflected on how much her position — and the dance department as a whole — have changed over that time period.

“I came in in 1986-7 as a substitute for a dance teacher who was in the hospital… but the lovely division chair at the time liked me and what I was doing and what I brought to the program, and so he created a position for me,” said Oberst. “My job has changed a lot because when I came in there was just the two of us.”

To compare, the dance department now consists of six faculty members, each of which specialize in different styles of dance.

In the time since she has been here, Oberst noted that her position has transitioned from teaching almost every class to being largely administrative and teaching a few specific classes like ballet, which is her specialty. And, moving to the future, Oberst shared an exciting update regarding the future of her position.

“Tim Cowart is going to take my position,” said Oberst. “I’m actually very excited about being able to hand things over to Tim because I think he’s going to bring a lot of fresh energy and fresh ideas… it’s going to be a whole new direction and a whole new direction.”

Cowart currently lives in Pennsylvania and works at Desales University, but he has also taught and choreographed at Western on a couple of occasions — even as recently as two years ago — so he will have some experience as he goes into his new position at Western.

When asked about her feelings about retirement, Oberst had a simple answer:

“I am delighted. I have really loved being here. It’s been a great place to work and there are no bad feelings, but I’m tired … I’ve pretty much been teaching since I was 14 years old. So, I’m ready. But I hope that I’m going out still being enthusiastic and involved.”

When Oberst retires, she would like to do some travelling with her husband and work on some research that she is hoping to publish. She will continue living in Monmouth, both because she enjoys it and because her children live in Oregon as well.

Finally, when asked about what she will miss from her current position, Oberst wasted no time with her answer.

“The students. That’s why I went into this in the first place is that I love to teach, and I love to choreograph on the students. That’s the joy,” said Oberst.

Oberst’s contract at Western ends on June 15 after commencement.

Contact the author at howlnews@wou.edu

Photo by Bailey Thompson