WMU News

Trustees approve retirements and appointments

October 30, 1998

DETROIT -- The retirement of one dean and the return to the faculty of another were approved Oct. 30 by the Western Michigan University Board of Trustees.

The retirement of Robert H. Luscombe, associate professor and dean of the College of Fine Arts since 1980 was approved by the board during its regular meeting. His retirement with emeritus status is effective June 30, 1999. At that time, Luscombe will have served 26 years at the University.

The return to the faculty of Dr. Leonard Lamberson, dean of the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences since 1989, also was approved, effective July 1, 2000. In addition, an administrative leave was approved for Lamberson from July 1, 1999 through June 30, 2000.

During the meeting, the board also approved the previously announced appointment of Jeffrey Breneman as assistant vice president for legislative affairs, effective immediately, and the appointment of Colleen Lewis as director of internal audit, effective Oct. 26, 1998. She replaces Veronica Riley, whose resignation the board also accepted.

Lewis has been assistant director of accounting services at WMU since September 1997. She came to the University from Tasus Corp. in Bloomington, Ind., where she had served as controller since 1990. Lewis, a certified public accountant, is a 1988 graduate of Creighton University. Her background also includes employment with Coopers & Lybrand in Lincoln, Neb., and Price Waterhouse in San Diego.

During its regular meeting, the board also accepted the resignations of the heads of three academic units. Those resigning are: Joseph H. Dunlap, director of the School of Aviation Sciences since 1992, effective Dec. 31, 1998; Dr. Bernardine M. Lacey, professor and director of the School of Nursing since 1994, effective June 30, 1999; and Dr. Philip R. Popple, professor and director of the School of Social Work since 1993, effective Dec. 31, 1998.

In other personnel action, the board approved the retirement of three faculty members and two staff members.

The faculty members granted retirement with emeriti status, along with their years of service and effective dates are: Thomas L. Deckard, assistant professor of aviation sciences, 25 years, effective Aug., 31, 1999; Curtis N. Swanson, associate professor of aviation sciences, 31-1/2 years, effective Aug. 31, 1999; and Leard L. Wylie, assistant professor of aviation sciences, 16 years, effective Aug. 31, 1999.

The staff members retiring are: Betty L. Glen, coordinator of serial acquisitions at Waldo Library, 19-1/2 years, effective December 31, 1998; and Ronald Sackett, coordinator of flight instruction in the School of Aviation Sciences, 32 years, effective Dec. 31, 1998.

In related personnel action, the board accepted the resignation of these faculty and staff members members: Dr. Dmitry Azrikan, associate professor of construction engineering, materials engineering and industrial design, effective Sept. 8, 1998; and Dr. Gerald Wouch, associate professor of paper and printing science and engineering, effective August 8, 1998.

Media contact: Cheryl Roland, 616 387-8400, cheryl.roland@wmich.edu


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