Trustees confer emeritus status on 16 faculty

Sixteen retired or retiring BGSU faculty members were conferred emeritus status by the University trustees June 24.

Emeritus status is conferred in recognition of distinguished service to the University. To be designated as emeritus, individuals must have been recommended by their department for the designation. The recommendation then proceeds to the respective dean, the vice president for academic affairs and to the Honorary Degrees and Commemoratives Committee, before going to the trustees.

Designated as emeriti faculty were:

Dr. Elizabeth Allgeier, psychology, who retired on June 30, 2004. Nationally and internationally known for her research and writing in the field of human sexuality, Allgeier joined the BGSU faculty in 1980. In recognition of her skill as a teacher and mentor, she was named Master Teacher in 1988 and Outstanding Contributor to Graduate Education in 1992.

Dr. Pamela Allison, School of Human Movement, Sport and Leisure Studies (HMSLS), who retired Dec. 31, 2004. Allison came to Bowling Green in 1985 and is the author of numerous scholarly works, including a textbook on developing physical education curriculum for children. Her teaching and research have focused on curriculum development and the preparation of pre-service physical education teachers. She was presented the Excellence in Teaching Award in 2001 by the College of Education and Human Development.

Dr. Robert Berns, School of Teaching and Learning, who will retire June 30, came to the University in 1985. With an international reputation in business and marketing education, he has served in a variety of leadership roles in career and technical education. Throughout his career, Berns has focused on preparing students to become the best teachers they can be. He has worked with graduate students seeking initial licensure in the field, and has served as faculty adviser for the BGSU Student Marketing Education Association. In recent years, Berns' research and scholarly activities have focused on contextual teaching and learning, and he has been highly involved with the Partnerships in Context and Community program.

Dr. Beth Casey, who will retire June 30. Casey came to BGSU as director of general education in 1978, and became nationally known for her work in curriculum design and development. In her 25 years as director of general education, she was a tireless advocate and always saw that the Bowling Green program adapted to national trends. Since 1992, she has also served as a full-time adjunct instructor of English, teaching American and Canadian literature.

Dr. Elizabeth Cole, art and associate dean for advancement in the College of Arts and Sciences, who will retire June 30. Since joining the college in 1999, she has done significant work in the areas of assessment, program review, strategic planning and development. Her efforts have led to the creation of two advocates boards, enhancing communication with external constituencies and extending academically focused outreach to alumni nationally. Outside the college, she was a leader in the recent North Central Association of Colleges and Schools re-accreditation effort and pioneered collaboration between the colleges of arts and sciences and education and human development in the area of teacher preparation.

Dr. Evron Collins, University Libraries, who retired Nov. 30, 2004. In more than 40 years at BGSU, Collins served in various departments at the library and as a strong advocate on Faculty Senate. Her career exemplified her commitment to librarianship and to the University.

Dr. G. Comer Duncan, physics and astronomy, who will retire June 30. Since joining the faculty in 1970, Duncan has helped build his department’s strength in computational physics and has expanded and improved scientific computing at the University. He was instrumental in bringing Internet 2 access to Bowling Green through his collaboration with the Ohio Supercomputer Center. Duncan uses computational physics to investigate phenomena in outer space, using supercomputers to simulate and visualize very complicated processes.

Dr. Patricia Erickson, School of Family and Consumer Sciences, who retires this summer. A faculty member since 1978, she has been engaged in the development of teachers and has provided numerous training opportunities through grants funded by the Ohio Department of Education. Erickson has served in leadership positions in professional organizations at the regional, state and national levels. She has been involved in crafting and assessing national standards for family and consumer sciences education.

Dr. John Lavezzi, art, retiring June 30. Lavezzi joined the School of Art faculty in 1973 and has contributed significantly to the art history program as well as the University’s Classical Civilizations program. He has played an active role in BGSU’s chapter of Phi Beta Kappa since its inception in 1983.

Dr. Mary Ann Roberton, who retired June 1 after 13 years with HMSLS. Roberton was director of the school from 1992-99, and taught both graduate and undergraduate courses. Her research areas include age and gender effects on attitudes toward sexist language, overarm throwing and individual pathways in the development of forceful throwing. She is the author of a number of scholarly works.

Dr. Joel Rudinger, English, BGSU Firelands, who retired May 21. A Firelands faculty member since the college’s inception in 1967, Rudinger has taught creative writing, children’s literature and folklore, among other courses, both at Firelands and on main campus. He was the director of English composition from 1999-2001 and the development director for Firelands from 1989-91. A past publisher of the Firelands Review, he has published several books of poetry. Rudinger has also led students and community members on summer field study trips to Alaska since 1999.

Dr. Ernest Savage, dean of the College of Technology and a professor of visual communication and technology education, who retires June 30. Before being named dean in 2000, he had served as interim dean for two years, as associate dean and director of graduate studies from 1992-99, and as coordinator of graduate studies from 1985-87. Savage began teaching in the technology college in 1981 and, until 1985, was coordinator of industrial education. He also taught courses in the College of Education and Human Development, from 1997-2001. Savage has published extensively on the role and responsibility of technology educators, content in technology education and bio-related technology. Among his many awards are the Accomplished Graduate Award from the college in 1995 and the Distinguished Technology Educator Award from the International Technology Association in 1994.

Dr. James Sullivan, former dean of the College of Business Administration, who retires June 30 as a faculty member in applied operations and statistics. Sullivan came to BGSU in 1971. In 1996, after one year as interim dean, he was named dean of the college. As dean, he worked to build partnerships outside the University. In 2003, Sullivan stepped down as dean to return to teaching. Sullivan was chair of his department from 1982-90 and served as associate dean for undergraduate studies from 1990-95. He became director of the Statistical Consulting Center in 1981, the same year he received a Faculty Excellence Award. In 1989, he was honored with the Faculty Distinguished Service Award.

Dr. Ryan Tweney, a psychology faculty member since 1970. Tweney, who will retire June 30, has developed a wide-ranging record of scholarship in the areas of experimental psychology and the cognitive science of scientific thinking and discovery. In addition, he played an important role in developing the University Honors Program and the Great Ideas Program, which he directed from 1989-92.

Dr. Russell Veitch, psychology, who retired in December 2004. Veitch joined the faculty in 1973 and served as vice chair for undergraduate instruction for 26 years, providing advising to psychology students, contributing to curriculum development and encouraging high standards in undergraduate education. He was also active outside the department, serving on Arts and Sciences Council and the Undergraduate Council.

Dr. Elizabeth Yarris, a counseling psychologist in the Counseling Center and a psychology faculty member. Yarris, who retired June 1, came to BGSU in 1983. A licensed psychologist, she provided individual and group counseling to students and served as a consultant to faculty and staff in addition to supervising non-licensed staff and clinical psychology doctoral students. Yarris’ main areas of research have been the prevention of problems such as eating disorders, substance abuse and sexual abuse among college students; training of paraprofessionals, graduate students and professionals, and gender issues in therapy. The author of several book chapters and journal articles, she gave numerous presentations at professional conferences. On campus, she has a long history of service to the University and was a co-founder of the Coalition Against Sexual Offenses.