Cheyney University Faculty Retire After a Life of Service to the University Community

June 23, 2011

Recently, my husband and I attended a retirement celebration for several members of the Cheyney University community. Most of the retirees were faculty who had, during their long years of service, shared their specialized knowledge, their valuable time, and their hopes for a better future with thousands of students. Some of the faculty members who were retiring had taught students and mentored other faculty at Cheyney University for 40 years and more.

Retirees who worked tirelessly on staff have also contributed much to the University community by performing their daily tasks with professionalism and excellence in customer service. From the beginning of the retirement dinner, the mood was both celebratory and warm. It was easy to discern that the bonds that held this diverse community together were those of mutual respect, shared commitment to the University's mission of access, opportunity, and excellence --and those of kinship and friendship.

After dinner there were congratulatory comments and well-wishes made by the Director of Human Resources, the Provost, and the Dean . While the remarks were witty, well- intended, and often humorous, the comments of the departing retirees were the most heart-filled and heartfelt. Many of the faculty, both retirees and others, approached the podium to make remarks, and during these remarks became overcome with emotion-- as they recalled the camaraderie, mentoring, friendships , and challenges they faced together.

The bonds we witnessed at the retirement dinner underscore the legacy that is Cheyney University. As we move closer to celebrating our 175th Anniversary, it is clear that we are celebrating the connected lives of a cadre of dedicated individuals bound by the common vision that it is possible to provide access, opportunity, and excellence to an emerging generation of students who are seeking both to obtain more specialized knowledge, to elevate their status in life, and to seek their true purpose in life.

As we engage in a multitude of commemorative events this year, we will be honoring the memory of thousands of former faculty, staff, alumni, and stakeholders who demonstrated by their work and courage that it is essential for us to prepare a broad range of future leaders for America to the best of our abilities--our connected futures depend on it.
 

Tags: retirement

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