Chief of Public Safety Bob Norris's morning mantra: “Today I’m going to love God, I’m going to love people, and I’m going to show up.” And at Wheaton, he does show up—frequently eating meals in the dining hall, working out at the gym (he’s in a power-lifting phase), and attending all of the football games. It’s all a part of his regular effort to connect and build relationships with staff, faculty, and students on campus, relationships he believes help keep the campus safe.

Bob’s role combines his heart for compassion, justice, ministry, and law enforcement. A people person, Bob says his favorite times of the year —besides Christmas—are “when students come back, and graduation. I’m a lot like a golden retriever. When I see students, it’s great.” Bob ought to know about golden retrievers, because he’s had a few, and has spent most of his adult life around beloved dogs at different times: Benson, Baxter, Blakely, Bonnie, Belle, and Bailey.

What are the best things he’s noticed about Wheaton? Bob says, “It’s a neat place where students are cared for, there’s room to make mistakes, and there’s room for forgiveness.”

HOMETOWN: CEDAR RAPIDS, IA

TITLE: CHIEF OF PUBLIC SAFETY

DEPARTMENT: PUBLIC SAFETY

YEARS AT WHEATON: 14

EDUCATION: M.A. IN BIBLICAL STUDIES, DALLAS THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY; B.S., EMPORIA STATE UNIVERSITY

FUN FACT: BOB GAVE HIS WIFE, LAURIE NORRIS PH.D. ’12, A CAT NAMED BISCUIT AS A WEDDING PRESENT