Floyd Hoelting’s team-oriented attitude has brought him success from Oklahoma to Illinois and back to his home state of Texas.
His career path included four years in the Air Force after high school. He completed his doctorate degree in student personnel at Oklahoma State, with the plan of working in student affairs.
Hoelting was a hall coordinator and assistant director of housing at Oklahoma State University. He gained more experience in housing and food services at Western Illinois University before joining Illinois State in 1977. He served as ISU’s director of Housing and Food Services until retiring in 1995.
There were challenges, including a five-day blackout at Watterson Towers that required finding temporary housing for residents. A recycling program was launched, diversity emphasized, and improvements made in student food and living standards during his years on campus.
“Everything I accomplished was with the team, on the team and by the team,” Hoelting said. “Whatever I contributed, I got back 100-fold.” His ISU legacy was hard work and a genuine caring for others. He exhibits the same as executive director of housing and food at the University of Texas at Austin.
“When I had the chance to come back to my home state, I had to take it,” Hoelting said. “It has been a good move for me, and it allowed some quality people at ISU to move up into key roles.” He and his wife, JoEllen, enjoy living in the Texas Hill Country.
Hoelting stays connected with his ISU staff by sending weekly emails, a quote of the day to 150 of his former staff, and visiting campus as often as possible.
“I loved the atmosphere at Illinois State,” Hoelting recalled. “The sense of community I felt there has never been equaled anywhere I have been.”
Hoelting enjoys traveling and staying fit, with plans to continue yearly Grand Canyon hikes as well as tackling the Appalachian Trail and Machu Picchu. He can be reached by email at floydh@austin.utexas.edu.
