At Wilkinson College, our staff is more than just a team of colleagues — they are a family. Throughout the year, we work side by side, support one another, celebrate accomplishments, and create meaningful experiences that make our college such a special place.
As we head into the holiday season, we thought it would be fun to get to know the people who support Wilkinson a little better — the staff members we appreciate and are so thankful for throughout the year. After all, it’s the people who make Wilkinson College such a wonderful community!
Over the next few weeks, we will be highlighting the Wilkinson staff. This week, get to know David Krausman (Dean’s Office), Lucy Rust (English), and Mary Shockey (Dean’s Office).
David Krausman
Academic Operations Manager
Dean’s Office
Voice of Wilkinson: How long have you been working at Chapman?
David Krausman: This December will be 10 years!
VoW: What’s your favorite restaurant in Orange?
DK: Blue Bowl, I could have it for every meal of every day.
VoW: What’s your favorite season and why?
DK: I’m a big believer in treasuring the beauty of every season, but there will always be a special place in my heart for our Southern California summers.
VoW: What’s your favorite book, movie and/or podcast?
DK: Favorite book would be The Golden Compass (and you can’t not read the sequels, The Amber Spyglass and The Subtle Knife). My favorite podcasts are The Read and Critical Role. My favorite movie is Disney’s 1994 The Lion King.
VoW: Where is your favorite place to vacation?
DK: Japan. Great food and public transportation that makes the rest of the world jealous
VoW: What would the personal section of your Wikipedia page say?
DK: David is an arts and humanities advocate, writer, reader, former aspiring chef, and living proof that life rarely follows a predetermined plot line. During high school and his first year of college, David worked and interned in professional kitchens with dreams of becoming a chef, before discovering that the culinary industry would not, in fact, be his happily-ever-after. Instead, he fell head over heels for literature and language. He went to grad school, moved in with his would-be husband, adopted a child, and then got married. Even the traditional order of major life events is merely a suggestion. Today, David works to advance the arts, humanities, and social sciences, spending his professional life championing the things he loves. In his free time, he writes, reads, and plays easy-mode video games, maintaining a healthy balance between intellectual curiosity and refusing to suffer unnecessarily. His husband, son, and godson mean the world to him.
VoW: Share a fun fact with us!
DK: A tiger’s stripes are not just on its fur—they are etched into its skin. No two tigers have the exact same pattern.
VoW: What’s one thing you’ve learned from working with students?
DK: Life is what you make it, it’s true for your college experience, and it’s true for your life. Opportunities don’t always magically land in your lap. You have to put yourself out there, take a chance, and go looking for them. Make the most of the experience, embrace the unexpected, and don’t be afraid to see what happens when you say yes.
There’s never really a reason to be bored in this life. If you’re bored, you’re choosing to be. There’s nothing wrong with choosing stillness or doing nothing for a while. But don’t let boredom be the default. Be intentional about how you spend your time, stay curious, and remember that there’s always something worth exploring, learning, creating, or experiencing.
Lucy Rust
Administrative Assistant
English
Voice of Wilkinson: How long have you been working at Chapman?
Lucy Rust: One year and seven months in this position, plus nine months as a student worker.
VoW: Where is your favorite place to vacation?
LR: I love doing local mini-vacations up north in LA or south in San Diego, especially because I can take the train. My current dream vacation is Tokyo, though. I have never been there but have wanted to go for a very long time.
VoW: Share a fun fact with us!
LR: I’m very fascinated by personality typology, such as MBTI and the Enneagram, and could easily talk about it for hours on end.
VoW: What’s one thing you’ve learned from working with students?
LR: I really appreciate the students’ enthusiasm for learning, curiosity, and creativity.
Mary Shockey
Events and Development Coordinator
Dean’s Office
Voice of Wilkinson: How long have you worked at Chapman?
Mary Shockey: 12 years
VoW: What’s your favorite season and why?
MS: I love fall because it gets a little cooler, and I love decorating for harvest!
VoW: What’s your favorite book, podcast, and/or movie?
MS: I like true crime podcasts.
VoW: Where is your favorite place to vacation?
MS: I love to vacation across the U.S. to see all that the different states have to offer.
VoW: What would the personal section of your Wikipedia page say?
MS: Mary Shockey has been married for 32 years, is a mother of four grown children, and a grandma of three little ones. She loves sports and was an All-American softball pitcher at CSU Long Beach from ‘90-‘93. She played in four Women’s College World Series softball tournaments in Oklahoma City, OK, while at Long Beach State. She met her husband while he was playing minor league baseball for the Oakland Athletics. He is now a retired police officer after 23 years of service.
VoW: Share a fun fact with us!
MS: My husband and I have visited 15 of 30 Major League Baseball stadiums across the U.S.
