Trustees approve retirements of 11 faculty, 14 staff members

Contact: Jeanne Baron
Photo of WMU sign in summer.

Retirements, resignations and sabbaticals approved

KALAMAZOO—The retirements of 11 faculty members and 14 staff members were approved by the Western Michigan University Board of Trustees at its Feb. 27 meeting.

Trustees also signed off on the resignations of three faculty members as well as two faculty leaves.

Faculty retirements

All of the faculty members who are retiring are doing so with emeritus status. Their names, positions, years of continuous service and effective dates of retirement are:

  • Dr. Bassam E. Harik, interim vice provost for the Haenicke Institute for Global Education and associate professor of economics, 34 years, Dec. 31, 2013 (change in retirement date only)
  • Dr. George J. Haus, associate professor of special education and literacy studies, 26 years, effective Aug. 31, 2017
  • Dr. Leonard Lamberson, professor of industrial and manufacturing engineering, 24 years, effective Dec. 31, 2013
  • Dr. Margaret M. Merrion, dean of the College of Fine Arts and professor of music, 13 years, effective June 30, 2013
  • David Orchanian, master faculty specialist of occupational therapy, 15 years, effective April 30, 2013
  • Dr. Galen E. Rike, associate professor of libraries, 21 years, effective June 30, 2013
  • Darryl A. Salisbury, master faculty specialist of English language and culture, 37 years, effective June 30, 2013
  • Dr. Nancy M. Schullery, professor of business information systems, 16 years, effective Dec. 31, 2013
  • Dr. Karen F. Thomas, professor of special education and literacy studies, 18 years, effective Dec. 31, 2013
  • Neal T. Turner, faculty specialist II of finance and commercial law, 17 years, effective April 30, 2018
  • Dr. Paul T. Wilson, associate professor of special education and literacy studies, 27 years, effective Aug. 31, 2013

Staff retirements

  • Connie S. Bashaw, finance assistant in the Office of Student Financial Aid and Scholarships, 25 years, effective March 31, 2013
  • Carl C. Dezsi, recreation and sports specialist III in Facilities Management-landscape services, 33 years, effective Feb. 28, 2013
  • Charles J. Dineen, pipefitter in Facilities Management-maintenance services, 36 years, effective Dec. 31, 2012
  • Sandra T. Duke, academic advisor for the Department of Theatre, 20 years, effective July 31, 2013
  • Kenneth A. Fisher, equipment operator I in Facilities Management-landscape services, 15 years, effective March 31, 2013
  • Joseph J. Guilfoyle, coordinator of operations in the College of Aviation, 13 years, effective March 31, 2013
  • Linda L. Ickes, director of the Business Career Center in the Haworth College of Business, 14 years, effective March 31, 2013
  • Dr. Warren E. Lacefield, senior research associate in the College of Education and Human Development, 10 years, effective Dec. 31, 2012
  • Tommye E. Ragan, police radio dispatcher in the Department of Public Safety, 25 years, effective May 31, 2013
  • Dr. Kathy L. Rix, associate registrar in the Registrar's Office, 17 years, effective Feb. 28, 2013
  • June A. Sangsland, utility food worker in the Burnham Dining Service, 14 years, effective April 30, 2013
  • Richard K. Schaper, manager of retirement services in Human Resources, 31 years, effective June 30, 2013
  • William A. Squiers, master gardener in Facilities Management-Landscape services, 34 years, effective Jan. 31, 2013
  • Elaine M. Williams, director of Miller Auditorium, 27 years, effective July 8, 2013

Faculty resignations

  • Dr. Thayma Cd Lutz, instructor of mathematics, effective Dec. 23, 2012
  • Mark Schreiner, instructor of mathematics, effective Dec. 23, 2012
  • Dr. Ghada Soliman, assistant professor of family and consumer sciences, effective Dec. 18, 2012

Faculty leaves

  • Sabbatical leave for Dr. R. Wayne Fuqua, chair and professor of psychology, effective Aug. 19 through Dec. 22, 2013
  • Professional development leave for Dr. Peter Blickle, professor of world languages and literatures, effective Aug. 19 through Dec. 27, 2013