FSU and Pierpont Honor Retirees

Nine Fairmont State University and Pierpont Community & Technical College employees were honored during the annual Retiree Reception on Wednesday, April 22.

Faculty, staff, retired FSU and Pierpont employees and the community gathered in the Turley Center Ballroom to honor 2008-2009 retirees. Charles J. McClain, FSU Interim President, and Blair Montgomery, Pierpont President, presented each retiree with a plaque for their years of service to higher education.

The following faculty members were among the retirees:

Dr. Nancy Cheshire, Coordinator and Professor of Early Childhood for the Pierpont C&TC School of Human Services, 1998-2009

Cheshire was hired by Fairmont State as an adjunct faculty member in 1990. She became a full-time faculty member in 1998. As Program Coordinator, Cheshire was dedicated to striving for success with the Early Childhood program. She successfully led the pre-school program through a national review that resulted in full accreditation with the National Association for the Education of Young Children. Having been the former advisor of Phi Theta Kappa, she made many friendships with students. Students looked up to her as a role model, a person who distinguished herself among others by her energetic and optimistic behavior. Due to her work ethic, Pierpont was proud to award Cheshire with the Paul E. Edwards Award for Teaching Excellence in 2007. Her name is widely known throughout campus and throughout the country due to her many publications in early childhood journals and magazines. Cheshire made a lasting impression on all of her co-workers and students.   

Dr. Allen Colebank, Professor of Education for the FSU School of Education, 1976-2008

Colebank first came to Fairmont State in September 1976. He received his B.S., M.S. and Ed.D. from West Virginia University. He was dedicated to Faculty Senate as he served in the position of President for over 20 years. He taught many classes through the years including Secondary Education Block, Educational Psychology and Human Growth and Development courses. Colebank also successfully served as Interim Dean of the School of Education and Health and Human Performance from 2005 to 2006. He is a supporter of FSU and WVU athletics and has a cattle farm.

Joan Lawrence, Associate Professor of Accounting for the FSU School of Business, 1973-2008

Lawrence was a faculty member at Fairmont State for 35 years. A CPA and member of the American Institute of CPAs, she taught literally thousands of students the concepts of accounting during her tenure. She served on numerous School of Business committees and was a faculty sponsor for the student accounting organization. She was active on university committees as well, serving on the Admissions and Credits committee, the Curriculum committee where she was also Chair, the Strategic Planning committee and Faculty Senate. A licensed nursing home administrator, Lawrence also owned and operated a licensed nursing home while working as a faculty member. Since her retirement, she enjoys gardening, splitting wood and watching her retirement investment fall like a rock. 

Dr. Jeffrey Poland, Professor of Music for the FSU School of Fine Arts, 1988-2009

Poland has been the Director of Choral Activities at Fairmont State for 21 years. He has conducted two choirs every semester and has toured with the Collegiate Singers throughout West Virginia and to venues in Chicago, Cleveland, Baltimore, New York City and Montreal and Toronto, Canada. Poland has frequently collaborated with volunteer singers in the greater Fairmont community by conducting performances of a University-Community Chorus with guest soloists and orchestra. He served as music department coordinator for seven years, as Acting Chair of the School of Fine Arts in the fall semester 1996 and was a faculty senator for more than 16 years. He was often a member of the Senate Executive Committee and was elected Vice President of the Senate for two terms. He also was the state President of the West Virginia American Choral Directors Association for two terms and served on two national convention committees for the ACDA. Poland received the Fairmont Arts and Humanities Commission Music Award in 2001 and the Fairmont State University Faculty Recognition Award in 2007.  He will be teaching as a phased retiree in the 2009-2010 academic year.

Merle Thomas, Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering Technology for the Department of Technology, 2001-2009

Thomas graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a B.A. and an M.A. in math, chemistry and physics. Additionally, he has taken advanced engineering courses and seminars at several of the nation's top universities. Thomas taught at major universities in the United States, Europe and Latin America. He served as Chairman of the American Production and Inventory Control Society Scheduling Committee. His published work includes research results and textbooks on work measurement and industrial scheduling. He designed and built computers for diagnostic medicine, industry and rocket guidance. He publishes extensively and speaks frequently, worldwide, about manufacturing and mechanical engineering. Thomas has also made engineering presentations in Latin America, Australia, New Zealand, Europe, Canada and the United States.   

The following staff members were among the retirees:

Linda Abruzzino, Food Service Worker, Dining Services, 1983-2008

Abruzzino began her career at Fairmont State in 1983 as a First Cook in the Dining Hall. Over the past 25 years, she has seen the campus grow administratively and academically, but architecturally as well. Her position was physically moved a few times, but she always welcomed change without any hesitation. She made many friendships with her co-workers and with the students who came to visit her daily. Past supervisors always commented on her ability to work so well with others and how she was always there to lend a helping hand.

Thomas Fast, Traffic Enforcement Officer, Department of Public Safety, 1978-2009

Fast came to Fairmont State in 1978 and first worked as a custodian in the Feaster Center. He was later promoted to Journeyman Trades Worker. His final position at the institution was the position of Campus Security Officer. Fast will always be known as the man who just could not do enough. He would be the first person to arrive for his shift and the last to leave. His footsteps will echo for many years in the buildings and campus as he has logged many miles walking in and on them during his career. His hobbies include hunting, fishing and gardening.

Penelope Gallucci, Administrative Secretary Senior, Physical Plant, 1997-2008

Penny Gallucci began her employment at Fairmont State 10 years ago. She was Administrative Secretary at the Physical Plant. For many years she worked hand-in hand with Larry Lawrence, retired Vice President for Facilities, to keep the Physical Plant organized. Some of her duties included dispatching work to her fellow employees, maintaining all Physical Plant files and helping with the mail. She also worked in Hardway Hall as Administrative Secretary for Dr. Fred Schaupp after the retirement of Jonnie Shaver. She and her husband Eugene plan to reside in Fairmont during her retirement. She also hopes to spend time with her two daughters, Gina who lives in Frederick, Md., and Diane, who lives in Huntington..

Robert Moffett, Media Systems Engineer, Solutions Center, 1971-2008

Moffett began working at Fairmont State in 1971 as a Technician in the Learning Resource Center. During the 70s, Moffett was a busy man as he set up distance learning for nursing classes over the network using facilities in the Education Building, Hardway Hall and Caperton Center. Moffett also helped the Learning Resource Center produce weekly television programs including, "Fairmont Forum" and "Fairmont State Forum." In more recent years, he was involved with the design and installation of SMART Boards and IP Video conferencing. He also conducted media workshops for campus, the West Virginia Educational Media Association and local community groups. He has set up public address systems for every governor from Arch Moore to Joe Manchin. During his 37 years at Fairmont State, he said he truly enjoyed his friendships with the faculty, staff and students. He said that being around college students helped to keep him younger. 

 

Pierpont Community & Technical College President Blair Montgomery, Dr. Nancy Cheshire, Linda Abruzzino, Tom Fast, Joan Lawrence, Bob Moffett, Dr. Allen Colebank and Fairmont State University Interim President Charles J. McClain.