The Eastern Michigan University Board of Regents granted
emeritus status to five former faculty and four staff members
at its regular meeting Nov. 18. To be awarded emeritus
status, faculty must have served EMU for at least 15 years
and be nominated for emeritus faculty status upon retirement.
Staff members who have at least 15 years of service may
be nominated for emeritus status upon retirement.
The faculty members granted emeritus status are:
 |
WELCOME TO THE CLUB: Richard
Fairfield
(above, center), a professor
of art, was
granted emeritus status
by the Board of Regents
Nov. 18.
Fairfield is flanked by (above, left)
Regent Chair Thomas Sidlik and Don
Loppnow, provost
and executive vice
president. |
Richard Fairfield, professor of art,
who retired in 2008 after 45 years of service. Fairfield,
of Ypsilanti, was an inspiring and challenging influence
on thousands of undergraduate and graduate students who
took classes in printmaking, drawing and collage, many
of whom achieved success after graduation as educators
and artists.
Fairfield received his master's degree from the University
of Illinois and his bachelor's degree from Bradley University.
John McManus, associate professor of psychology, who retired
in 2008 after 27 years of service. McManus, of Canton,
taught Intelligence Testing, Adolescent Psychology, Adjustment
and his most popular course, Stress and Relaxation, a course
he developed. Whether he taught the class on campus
or in Traverse City, McManus was often seen leading his
class in deep meditation with the lights turned off and
candles in the room, or wearing a toga or Superman costume
to emphasize the cognitive awareness to promote good mental
health.
McManus received his doctorate, master's degree and bachelor's
degree, all from Ohio State University.
Mary Meernik, assistant professor in Halle Library, who
retired in 2007 after 20 years of service. Meernik, of
Ann Arbor, was head of cataloging for 15 years and played
a role in many innovations, including implementation of
the NOTIS and Voyager online systems. She also coordinated
the library's assessment and evaluation activities.
Meernik received her master's degree in library science
from the University of Michigan and her bachelor's degree
in history from Aquinas College.
Crystal Mills, professor of social worker,
who retired in 2008 after 16 years of service. Mills, of
West Bloomfield, has been responsible for strengthening
the School of Social Work's relationships with many community
agencies and securing federal, state and private funding
for joint research projects. Mills had a strong commitment
to students, served as director of the master's of social
work program and chaired a variety of committees.
Mills received her doctorate in social work and social
psychology; her master's degree in interpersonal practice;
and her bachelor's degree in psychology, all from the University
of Michigan.
Walter Parry, professor of mathematics, who retired in
2008 after 24 years of service. Parry, a resident of Ann
Arbor, has served in numerous capacities in the department,
as chair of the Math Area Committee for many years, as
chair and main organizer of many search committees, and
as a graduate adviser. Parry won a Distinguished Faculty
Award for Research, was awarded several Faculty Research
Fellowships and received seven sabbatical leave awards.
Parry received his doctorate from the University of California-Berkeley
and his bachelor's degree from Michigan State University.
Staff members granted emeritus status are:
Daryl Hendricks, group leader of skilled trades at the
physical plant. Hendricks, who retired in July, was employed
at Eastern Michigan for 36 years. A resident of Willis,
Hendricks was known as a one-stop repairman for many people
on campus. Hendricks began at EMU as a custodian and took
classes for two years. Hendricks eventually moved to servicing
the motor pool and then to the welding/fabrication and
body shop at the physical plant. There, he serviced and
repaired the equipment for athletics, food service and
skilled trades.
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DULY HONORED: Alexandrine Sanford,
senior
secretary
(library payroll
manager) in Halle Library, was
granted emeritus status Nov. 18. She
is flanked
by Sidlik and Loppnow. |
Mary Niehaus, secretary for the College of Business. Niehaus,
who retired in September after 22 years, worked in the
undergraduate programs office, with a focus in student
support functions in undergraduate advising.
Niehaus, of Ypsilanti, received her bachelor's degree
from Eastern Michigan University.
Alexandrine Sanford, senior secretary
(library payroll manager) in Halle Library, who retired
in 2008 after 26 years of service. She provided assistance
to the university librarian and associate university librarian,
and had excellent knowledge of the policies and procedures
of the department.
Sanford, a Milan resident, received her associate's degree
from Washtenaw Community College.
Jean Wallace, library assistant III in Halle Library,
who retired in 2008 after 18 years of service. Wallace
came to EMU in 1989 and worked in the auxiliary services
department. She later moved to the library as the library's
time and attendance secretary. She moved to Halle Library
in 1998 and worked in ICT until 2003. She finished out
her career at EMU working in the library client service
area.
Wallace received her master's degree from Eastern Michigan
University and a bachelor's degree from the University
of Northern Colorado.
