The Eastern Michigan University Board of Regents granted
emeritus status to five former staff members and five former
faculty members at its regular meeting Nov. 27.
To be awarded emeritus status, faculty and staff must
have served EMU for at least 15 years and be nominated
for emeritus status upon retirement.
Staff members granted emeritus status are:
Carol E. Carrico, administrative secretary
to the director of intercollegiate athletics, retired
in October 2007 after 33 years of service.
Carrico, an Ypsilanti resident, attended EMU for two years.
Of her 33 years of service, Carrico served 20 years in
the athletics department.
 |
Costanza |
David J. Costanza, manager of academic
budget and operations in the Provost's office, retired
last year after 30 years of service.
Costanza, a resident of Belleville, received his bachelor's
and master's degrees from Eastern Michigan University.
During his time at EMU, Costanza served three key administrative
areas: University Computing, Human Resources and Academic
Affairs. He continues to donate several hours each week
to the EMU Credit Union.
Jean Rauch, project administrator in the Department of
Teacher Education, retired after 35 year of service.
Rauch, of Ypsilanti, received her bachelor's degree in
social studies in 1976 at EMU. She has worked as a library
assistant, audiovisual lab technician, technology acquisitions
supervisor and project administrator. Rauch also served
EMU as a grants project administrator through the Department
of Teacher Education.
Geneva Trochet, administrative secretary
to the executive director of University Health Services,
retired after 33 years of service.
Trochet, a resident of Ypsilanti, joined the EMU Center
for Community Education, serving in a variety of clerical
roles. During the 1980s, Trochet served as secretary to
department heads in mathematics, physics and astronomy,
and history and philosophy. She also was recognized for
her exceptional contribution to Snow Health Center operations.
 |
Ward |
Larry Ward, director of facility maintenance, retired
after 36 years of service.
Ward, of Belleville, joined the physical plant grounds
crew in 1970, before being promoted through a series of
positions, ultimately retiring as physical plant director.
During this time, he designed and built a baseball field,
which later became the women's varsity softball field;
worked to renovate several campus structures, including
the Village complex; and was involved with the new Student
Center. Ward received the Citizens Citation from the City
of Ypsilanti Fire Department in 1978 for heroism as one
of two EMU employees who rescued eight people from a burning
building.
Faculty members granted emeritus status are:
 |
Langer |
Georgea Langer, professor of teacher education, retired
after 22 years of service.
Langer, a resident of Ypsilanti, received her bachelor's
degree at University of Colorado, her master's degree at
Boston University, and her doctorate at Stanford University.
She published three books and more than 50 articles in
scholarly journals. Langer received numerous awards, including
the 1984 Outstanding Dissertation Award from the American
Educational Research Association and the 2004 EMU Alumni
Association Distinguished Teacher Excellence Award.
Olga Nelson, professor of teacher education, retired after
15 years of service.
Nelson, of Ypsilanti, received her bachelor's degree from
SUNY at Buffalo, her master's degree from Case Western
Reserve University, and her doctorate from Kent State University.
She came to EMU with extensive experience in primary and
secondary education, and was noted for her extraordinary
service as an adviser and mentor. Nelson was a key architect
of EMU's recent revision of the Elementary Education Program,
as well as the new General Education Program.
Colin F. Neuhaus, professor of marketing, retired after
38 years of service.
Neuhaus, a resident of Gregory, received his bachelor's
degree at Gettysburg College and his master's degree and
doctorate from the University of Michigan. Neuhaus developed
a reputation for developing policy with the welfare of
those most affected in mind. Known for his unrelenting
work ethic, he was an integral part of numerous department
and college committees and initiatives.
 |
Riccinto |
Leonard L. Riccinto (posthumous), professor of music,
retired after 21 years of service.
Riccinto received his bachelor's and master's degrees
from the University of Michigan, and a doctorate from Michigan
State University. An accomplished and highly respected
conductor, accompanist and professor, Riccinto directed
EMU's University Choir, Chamber Choir, Measure for Measure
and the Plymouth Oratorio Society, among others. Known
as a man passionate about his art, Riccinto is remembered
as a tireless recruiter and supporter of EMU voice students.
His generous financial support as director of choral activities
allowed many struggling voice students to participate in
competitions and auditions nationwide. As a result of his
efforts, EMU has the distinction of having at least one
National Association of Teachers of Singing winner each
year for the past five years. Additionally, he is credited
with bringing prestigious artists, including world-renown
soprano, Elly Ameling, to perform or present master classes
at EMU. He was a member of the board of directors of the
Michigan School Vocal Music Association and conducted,
on three occasions, at Carnegie Hall in New York City.
Paul Daniel Trochet, professor of physics and astronomy,
retired after 29 years of service.
Trochet, of Ypsilanti, received his bachelor's and master's
degrees from EMU, and his doctorate from the University
of Michigan. His service included 17 years as department
head, working to develop an active research program. As
a result, the department now boasts research labs in modern
optics, plasma physics surface science and laser physics.
Known for his concern for students, Trochet is credited
with recruiting and mentoring physicists who might not
otherwise have chosen physics as a career path.
