Patty Ewart and I learned from experience that we should never discuss politics. Our tastes in music were worlds apart, and our sense of style, her with her trim professional suits and heels, and me with my scarves and clogs, put us at opposite ends of the social spectrum. But when I speak of her to others my first statement is: “She was the best boss I’ve ever had.”

Being an administrator means walking a fine line. First, a person must want to be “in charge” and to take on the responsibility…