2004
Retirement Program
Retirement Luncheon Program
Centennial Student Union Minnesota State University, Mankato
Mankato, Minnesota 11:30 A.M. Luncheon
12:30 P.M. Program
Comments by President Richard Davenport 1:00 P.M. Public Reception
29 April 2004 Dear Retirees:
I wish to express to you on behalf of the Minnesota State University, Mankato community our appreciation for your many years of
dedicated service to this University. I am particularly thankful for all of your roles in promoting a successful student-oriented learning environment.
I extend my personal appreciation for your valuable years of service and wish you well as you begin new directions. I hope that you will remember fondly your many MSU friends and remain in contact with your University. It has been a pleasure to work with people who care so much.
Sincerely yours, Richard Davenport President
2004 Retiring Faculty and Staff
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Frank R. Birmingham
Dr. Birmingham is retiring as the Director of Library Media Education after 34 years. He received his BA in 1963 from St. Francis College, his MA from Georgetown University, and his Ph.D. from The Catholic University of America in 1970. He came to MSU from teaching social studies and AV Director at an inner city Washington, D.C. high school. Frank enjoyed his 34 years at MSU and stated that the students, faculty and staff have all been good to work with. He also will fondly remember his 13 months as Dean of the Library and his experiences working with graduate students in library media. After retirement he plans to continue his travels to China and Tibet, and will spend winters in Florida and summers in Minnesota.
William Roy DeMaree
Dr. DeMaree is retiring as a Professor in the Department of Sociology & Corrections after 37 years. While at MSU, he has especially enjoyed encountering former students years (or even decades) after he had them in his classes and sharing memories of that class with them. After retiring, Roy plans to move to the Phoenix area and do a lot of desert photography.
Carl Egan
Dr. Egan has served in the Department of Interior Design and Construction Management, much of that time as Director, for more than 25 years. He received his B.A. degree in 1967, his M.A. in 1969 and his Ed.D. in 1989 in the University of Alabama system. In 1999 he was recognized as a
Founding Member of the University of Russian Academy of Education (established in 1989 as Russia’s open university). He was awarded the “Honorary Professor of Moscow State Automobile and Road Technical University” in 2000 at the Palace of Congresses in the Kremlin, Moscow, Russia in front of 5,000 guests. Carl received the prestigious Fulbright
Scholar Award in Russia from February through July 2003. After retirement from MSU, Carl plans to pursue his fifth career change as owner/CEO of Egan International Construction Consulting. In that capacity he plans on continuing his trips to the Russian Federation and The People’s Republic of China. He will also be working on a new “still” design for installation in the woods on his property in Alabama.
Michael Fatis
Dr. Fatis is retiring as a Professor from the Department of Psychology after 26 years. His favorite experiences at MSU were attending professional conferences with students and alumni who had received their doctorates. After retirement, Michael plans to spoil his grandchildren and to travel even more.
Nancy J. Fenrick
Dr. Fenrick is retiring as a Professor from the Department of Psychology after 25 years. In her years at MSU she enjoyed working with students as they pursued their professional goals. She has felt honored to continue working with many of her students as they return to the local area following their doctoral studies. Nancy (together with Michael) looks forward to spending time with her grandchildren. She is also excited about their travel plans including Antarctica next year.
Ralph Jacobs
Dr. Jacobs is retiring as a Professor from the Department of Art after 28 years. He obtained the following degrees throughout his career: A.A. – 1959; B.S. – 1961; M.S. – 1962; Ph.D. – 1969. He also did post-doctorate work from 1974-1976. While at MSU he was the President of the Art Educators of Minnesota from 1982-1984, and was involved in the St. Peter Arts Center, Exhibit of Brass Constructions in 2003.
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Winifred Mitchell
Dr. Mitchell is retiring as Professor and Chair of the Department of Anthropology after 22 years. While at MSU she really enjoyed the intellectual exchange with colleagues, especially giving research lectures and helping with the selection of other recipients. She also enjoyed working with the faculty research grant process, working with students, and helping students discover the joy of discovery. After retirement, Winnie plans to attend the seminary and study to be an Episcopal priest.
Bernadette Schmidt
Ms. Schmidt retired last July from Institutional Research after 24 years. Prior to working in Institutional Research she worked in the Office of the Registrar. While at MSU Berni had many memorable experiences, but her most memorable was the retirement party held for her last July. Berni is currently residing in Tucson, Arizona (most of the time), and is a co-owner in a “Curves” fitness center. She states that she had a pleasant winter and that there wasn’t a day when she couldn’t get to work because of the weather!
Dorothy Scholtz
Dr. Scholtz is retiring as an Associate Professor in the Department of Educational Studies: K-12 & Secondary Programs after 13 years. Dorothy stated she had a difficult time articulating one experience she enjoyed at MSU – there were far too many to list. She feels she has been so fortunate to have many opportunities at MSU to explore a variety of areas and
believes it has been a wonderful journey. After retirement, Dorothy plans to remain in the Twin Cities, teach some adjunct classes, maintain a small program evaluation practice, and meddle in the rearing of her grandchildren.
Michael Scullin
Dr. Scullin is retiring as a Professor in the Department of Anthropology after 35 years. While at MSU he enjoyed starting and maintaining the Amos Owen Garden of American Indian Horticulture. Mike also received the Duane Orr Teacher of the Year award in 2002. After retirement he plans to do lots of writing.
Carolyn Shrewsbury
Dr. Shrewsbury is retiring as a Professor in the Department of Political Science after 36 years. She chaired the State College Board (as it was then), the Commission on the Status of Women (which had some impact on
beginning the process for improving women’s salaries, getting more women hired and promoted on the faculty and on the staff, changing the curriculum and supporting the development of a Women’s Studies program, and
encouraging changes in the climate for women studies). Many have continued to carry on the work of moving toward equity for women. After Carolyn retires, she plans to move to Minneapolis and look for a new career.
Bruce Smith
Mr. Smith is retiring as an Associate Professor from the Department of Accounting and Business Law after 34 years. Bruce could not articulate one event he particularly enjoyed at MSU, but particularly enjoyed all of the great students he has worked with. After retirement, he plans to expand his CPA tax practice.
Gerald Alonzo Smith
Dr. Smith is retiring as a Professor from the Department of Economics after 25 years. While at MSU he edited the Human Economics Newsletter from 1985-1992. After retirement, Lon does not have any specific plans but intends to travel and referee soccer games.
H. Roger Smith
Dr. Smith retired as a Professor in the Urban and Regional Studies Institute after 38 years. While he was here he most enjoyed his collegial banter with coworkers (and he was good at it). After retirement he plans to build a Circus Wagon, learn to play the piano, speak, read and think in German, French, Spanish and English. He wants to learn to be a teamster, enjoy his home on the Mississippi River in Wabasha, write a popular 20th Century
history of Mankato (not so much about the personalities but the places, events, and experiences the town provides that have made it home to so many, both young and old alike). He also plans to continue to enjoy going
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to Salfers Grove for a picnic in his Model A, going to the Root Beer Stand on Park Lane and getting a double root beer float, watching the circus come to town and parade down Front Street, seeing the Christmas light
decorations down town, going to the Grand Theatre for a vaudeville show and two reeler, window shopping or buying fresh made donuts at Kresge’s, and other stuff like that.
Richard Strachan
Dr. Strachan is retiring as Professor from the Department of Anthropology after 33 years. While at MSU he saw the creation of an Anthropology major, the development of the Department of Anthropology, the creation of a Graduate Major in Anthropology, and the birth of the EMuseum. He states these were all memorable events. However, the students are what he will remember most. After retirement he plans to continue to work with the MSU EMuseum for two years and seasonally travel. After that, he is unsure.
Phyllis Wisen
Dr. Wisen retired as the Interim Director of Human Resources. She served in this capacity for three years and prior to that served as the Affirmative Action Officer. Phyllis spent 40 total years at MSU. She obtained her B.S. in 1979, M.S. in 1984, and her Ph.D. from the University of Minnesota in 1989. Her favorite experience at MSU was working with staff and faculty who provided instruction and services to students and other employees. She believes the employees at MSU are good people and felt it was a pleasure working with them. Phyllis retired last August and has most enjoyed waking up each morning and then deciding what she wanted to do for that day (rather than all the planning she did previously).
