Macaruso remembered for warmth, personality

Victor Macaruso had a warm and outgoing personality. When working with students he always made them feel at ease and that he was fully dedicated to them, according to friends and colleagues.

On June 6, the long-time assistant dean in the College of Letters and Science passed away after a battle with pancreatic cancer; he was 67.

Macaruso began working in higher education in 1968 when he joined the faculty of Mount Senario College in Ladysmith, Wis. He earned his doctorate from the University of Michigan and took an administrative position at UW in 2002.

As an assistant dean and coordinator of advising for the College of Letters and Science, Macaruso was elected chair of the Assessment of Advising Commission of the National Academic Advising Association in 2004. Within this non-profit organization, he showed his dedication to promoting effective academic advising as well as advancing the professional development of the association’s members.

Gary Sandefur, dean of Letters and Science, was a colleague and friend of Macaruso.

“Victor lived his life with great zest and enthusiasm,” he says. “He cared deeply about students and spent many fulfilling hours working with students on both their problems and their dreams.”

Macaruso had a long and respected career as a college professor, counselor, and administrator. He undoubtedly enriched the lives of thousands of students and colleagues who had the utmost pleasure and knowing him and his dedication to the community.

“We all miss his very upbeat personality, his smile, and his great sense of humor,” adds Sandefur.

A funeral mass will be held Saturday, July 9 at 10:30 a.m. at Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church in Ladysmith, Wis. Following the service, a memorial fellowship dinner will be held at the Mount Senario Banquet Hall at 1500 Port Arthur Road in Ladysmith.