Many students walk through the Student Services Center every single day on various errands: stopping by Roongo’s for food, visiting Financial Aid for word on loans, or visiting the registrar to get copies of transcripts. These students will inevitably walk past the portrait of Robert D. Warren; though few people know who he is or what contributions he has had on the campus.
Robert D. Warren, known as ‘Doc’ to friends and longtime associates, was born in Mississippi and raised in New Orleans. He attended Appalachian State University for his undergraduate degree, graduating with degrees in Public School Music and Social Studies. He received a Masters in American History and a Doctorate in American Diplomatic History from Georgetown. He then spent the next 10 years in the US Navy, where he developed a love of oriental art and objects. After teaching in Montgomery County, Md., Doc came to Bloomsburg in the summer of 1964.
Doc didn’t ease into life at Bloomsburg; he jumped in headfirst. A group of students approached him about creating the first social fraternity at Bloomsburg. While there were fraternities and sororities in the early 60s, all of these were honors fraternities. After nearly two years of meetings and forums, the trustees recognized the Social Improvement Organization as the first social fraternity. This is why the letters became Sigma Iota Omega, or ΣΙΩ. The now abundant social fraternities and sororities are all later additions to the social aspect of Greek life that Doc helped to form.
Dr. Warren taught history at Bloomsburg for 20 years, 12 of which he served as chair of the history department. After his retirement in December 1983, he remained a constant presence on campus for many years. His greatest enjoyment was his contact with the students, and he always enjoyed being in the classroom.
Following his retirement, Doc sought ways to help the students and the university. This help came in the form of scholarships for students, including a $1 million trust fund set up for scholarships. According to the Bloomsburg University Foundation, the organization set up to fund the university’s expansion and scholarships, Doc’s donation was one of the largest individual donations in the history of the university. He has also established nine scholarships for the SIO brothers, all of which he personally funds.
“My idea of success is not based off of financial gain,” said Doc. “Success is what you make it.”
In 2000, Doc was presented with the University Medallion, making him only the 11th person to receive one in the history of the university. The Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education’s Fund for Advancement awarded Doc with an Eberly Award in honor of his multiple contributions to the university in 2002. In 2005, the Robert D. Warren Student Services Center was dedicated, commemorating Doc’s dedication as a faculty member, fraternity adviser and financial supporter.
Dr. Warren has also recently donated over 600 items from his personal collection of oriental art to the university. These items, according to Doc, are to be used for the Anthropology and Art History majors for comparisons and analysis. BU President Dr. Soltz has said these items will be displayed in cases in the Student Services Center, which will be installed during renovations this summer. Doc has also donated 30 or 40 pieces of crystal to be used in the President’s residence on campus.
“Doc is a wonderful man. His constant presence and good influence are amazing,” said Soltz. “He has had, perhaps, more of an impact on students than any other faculty member.”
Doc played down his donations to the university.
“I am just very happy to have been associated with the university and that it has continued to grow as it has over the past 45 years,” he said.
To this day, he continues to advise SIO, though he has recently started sharing the burden with a co-adviser. He is still passionate about SIO and all social Greek organizations.
“Social fraternities play a very important role,” he said. It gives an opportunity to bond with a group of people. Not everyone can play football or basketball, but everyone can be a brother.”
Doc’s philanthropy extends beyond Bloomsburg University. He has also funded scholarships at Appalachian State and Spartansburg Methodist College.
“I’ve tried to repay the help I received as a student by endowing scholarships for future students at Bloomsburg,” he said.
The Robert D. Warren Student Services Center will open its doors again tomorrow. And this time there will be one student who walks past the portrait and will understand how much he truly gives to this university.
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