OBU Honors 530 Years of Service

April 8, 2011

Recognizing a combined 530 years of service to the institution, OBU honored 42 faculty and staff members during the university's annual Service Awards Banquet April 7.

Dr. Ronda Hall, professor of Spanish, was honored for 37 years of service at the University as she prepares to retire at the end of the 2010-11 academic year. Also honored were retirees Sandra Meyer, associate professor of music, for 35 years of service; Bobby Canty, dean of students, for 27 years of service; Dr. Bob Dawson, WMU professor of missions, for 26 years of service; Anne Hammond, associate professor of English, and Dr. Paul Hammond, professor of music and dean of the Warren M. Angell College of Fine Arts, for 25 years of service; and Dr. Eugene Hobbs, professor of mathematics and chair of the Division of Science and Mathematics, for 15 years of service.

Forty-two faculty and staff members were honored during OBU's annual Service Awards Banquet April 7. Those honored included (front row, from left) Lisa Licklider, Deanna Spruiell, Dr. Shawna York, Chele Marker, Dr. Ronda Hall, Sandra Meyer, Martha Hernandez, Anne Hammond and Dr. Gina Kraft; (second row, from left) Stephanie Miller, Cynthia Gates, Darla Demo, Tara Colvin, Tonia Kellogg, Traci Moore, Dr. Robbie Henson, Dr. Eugene Hobbs, Dr. Michael Dean, Dr. Warren McWilliams, Marty O'Gwynn; (back row, from left) Dr. Norris Russell, Dr. Danny Reeder, Dr. Jerry Faught, Dr. Richard Cheek, Ford Mastin, Dr. Rich Rudebock, Dr. Mark McQuade, Dr. Kevin Pruiett, Robert Cash, Dr. Paul Hammond and Dr. Albert Chen.

In addition to Meyer, Dr. Warren McWilliams, Augie Henry professor of Bible, also was honored for 30 years of service.

Dr. Norris Russell was honored for 30 years of service. Russell serves as professor of kinesiology and leisure studies, chair of the Division of Kinesiology and Leisure Studies and director of athletics.

In addition to the Hammonds, Dr. Albert Chen, professor of physics, was honored for a quarter-century of service.

Seven individuals were honored for 20 years of service, including Dr. David Byland, associate professor of telecommunication; Robert Cash, director of facilities management; Cynthia Gates, director of events, conferences and camps; Dr. Robbie Henson, professor of nursing; Tonia Kellogg, director of executive offices; Marty O'Gwynn, associate vice president for advancement and assistant to the president; and Dr. Danny Reeder, Albert J. Geiger professor of finance.

In addition to Hobbs, those honored for 15 years of service at OBU included Tara Colvin, endowed scholarship manager, and Ford Mastin, track coach and assistant professor of kinesiology and leisure studies.

Eleven individuals were honored for a decade of service, including Dr. Joyce Aldridge, associate professor of theatre; Richard Cheek, dean of library services; Sue Dick, tennis coach; Dr. Jerry Faught, Dickinson associate professor of religion; Martha Hernandez, assistant professor of nursing; Dr. Gina Kraft, assistant professor of kinesiology and leisure studies; Lisa Licklider, serials and government documents assistant; Chele Marker, creative services coordinator; Dr. Kevin Pruiett, associate professor of music and coordinator of instrumental music; Dr. Rich Rudebock, Robert L. and Sara Lou Cargill associate professor of business; and Dr. Shawna York, associate professor of chemistry.

Twelve individuals were honored for five years of service at OBU, including Chad Aebischer, Web content manager; Terra Bogle, payroll accountant; Michael Burns, director of residential life and student activities; Dr. Michael Dean, associate professor of music; Darla Demo, secretary, Department of Teacher Education; Dr. Keith Harman, professor of business; Gene King, associate director and chief marketing officer, OBU Graduate School; Crystal McKee, director of alumni programs and special events; Dr. Mark McQuade, assistant professor of music and coordinator of vocal studies; Stephanie Miller, career planning counselor; Traci Moore, staff assistant, Business Office; and Deanna Spruiell, secretary, Communication Arts.