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Thirty-eight feted with membership in 25 Year Club

Dec. 9, 2009

KALAMAZOO--A total of 38 people who began their service to Western Michigan University in 1984 were inducted into Western Michigan University's 25 Year Club during a Dec. 8 gala honoring longtime employees.

The annual gala in the University's Bernhard Center honors employees who have built their careers at WMU. With the new class of inductees in place, the club now has 419 active and 591 retired members.

This year's ceremony included posthumous note of two inductees. Dr. Diether H. Haenicke, who died in February 2009, served as the University's fifth president for 13 years. Then after returning to teaching and retiring, he came back to serve WMU in 2006-07 as interim president. The second posthumous honoree is Dr. Susan V. Ponchillia, who reached her 25th service anniversary in August, several weeks before her October death.

WMU 25 Year Club
2009 inductees

  • Jeanne Baron, news and communication specialist in the Office of University Relations
  • Billie A. Blake, office associate in the Haenicke Institute for Global Education
  • Krista J. Cekola, manager of HR Information Systems in Human Resources
  • Dr. Christopher S. Cho, professor of mechanical and aeronautical engineering
  • Carol R. Dedow, captain in the Department of Public Safety
  • Dr. Alyce M. Dickinson, professor of psychology
  • Dr. Philip J. Egan, associate professor of English
  • Marcia Ellis, physician assistant and assistant director of medical services at Sindecuse Health Center
  • Dr. Frank M. Gambino, professor of marketing
  • Dr. John W. Gesink, chair of the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
  • Lou Ann Grover, office coordinator in the Department of Teaching, Learning and Educational Studies
  • Rose A. Hathaway, senior assistant in Facilities Management-Planning
  • Charlotte G. Kelley, office associate in the Office of the Vice President for Research
  • Lynn C. Kelly-Albertson, executive director of professional and career development in Career and Student Employment Services
  • Tammy Kiel, groundskeeper II in Facilities Management-Landscape Services
  • Ed Killingsworth, retired manager in Physical Plant-Maintenance Services
  • Mary L. Light, language specialist, in the Career English Language Center
  • Ed F. Manion, environmental control person in Facilities Management-Maintenance Services
  • Annie Marton, custodian with Facilities Management-Building Custodial and Support Services
  • Phyllis A. McDowell, custodian with Facilities Management-Building Custodial and Support Services
  • Dr. Joseph R. Morris, professor of counselor education and counseling psychology
  • Kelley Oliver, academic advisor in the Haworth College of Business
  • Susan E. Oole, academic advisor in the Lee Honors College
  • Christine A. Paver, programmer analyst in the Office of Information Technology
  • Dr. Dennis D. Pence, associate professor of mathematics
  • Ellen Pestoor, a master gardener in Facilities Management-Landscape Services
  • Donnie L. Phelps, a member of the house staff at the Bernhard Center
  • Alvin S. Rosenthal, associate professor of physics
  • Dr. Iskender Sahin, professor of mechanical and aeronautical engineering
  • Gary Somerville, fire equipment inspector in the Department of Public Safety
  • Donna St. John, associate director of admissions
  • Peter Thannhauser, lab supervisor in the Department of Mechanical and Aeronautical Engineering
  • Mark E. Tomlonson, chief engineer for WMUK-FM radio
  • Sharon M. Van Dyken, academic advisor in the College of Education and Human Development
  • Dr. Dennis J. VandenBrink, associate professor of mechanical and aeronautical engineering
  • Nancy C. Watson, recreation sports specialist I in Facilities Management-Building Custodial and Support Services
  • Ronald A. Wester, database administrator in the Office of Information Technology
  • Hazel N. Williams, retired office associate in Valley #2 Dining Service
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Media contact: Cheryl Roland, (269) 387-8400, cheryl.roland@wmich.edu

WMU News
Office of University Relations
Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo MI 49008-5433 USA
(269) 387-8400
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