Ouachita faculty and staff honored for combined 730 years of service
August 23, 2013 - Trennis Henderson
Gathering Aug. 22 for Ouachita Baptist University’s annual Faculty/Staff Banquet, the university honored 37 faculty and staff members with a combined total of 730 years of service to Ouachita.
The annual celebration was tempered by the recent death of Dr. Tom Auffenberg, one
of three professors recognized for 40 years of service each. Dr. Auffenberg, the R.
Voyt Hill Professor of History, passed away the day before the banquet following a
brief illness.
In addition to Dr. Auffenberg’s posthumous recognition, two of his longtime colleagues
who also joined the faculty in 1973 were honored for 40-year milestones: Dr. Raouf
Halaby, professor of Art and Design and English, and Dr. Johnny Wink, the Betty Burton
Peck Professor of English.
“I am amazed at the commitment of those who have invested their lives here at Ouachita,”
said Ouachita President Rex Horne. “It was especially humbling to recognize Raouf
Halaby and Johnny Wink for their 40 years of service. They, in true Ouachita style,
carried to the podium pictures of Tom Auffenberg. Tom was their colleague and dear
friend who recently passed from this life. Tom, too, was remembered for his 40 years
of service. In this ever-changing environment, the long commitment of people that
these three represent will keep Ouachita strong.”
Other faculty and staff members recognized for service milestones include:
30 Years of Service – Daniel Bailey, facilities management; John Cloud, senior development
officer for estate and legacy gifts; Philip Easley, facilities management; Dr. Craig
Hamilton, the Lena Goodwin Trimble Professor of Music and director of bands; Luke
Owens, facilities management; Bill Phelps, director of IT services.
25 Years of Service – Ian Cosh, vice president for community and international engagement;
Dr. Bill Viser, associate professor of Christian ministries.
20 Years of Service – Terrence Carter, director of Upward Bound; Dr. Keldon Henley,
vice president for institutional advancement; Bill Hulan, facilities management; Linda
Purifoy, TRIO administrative assistant; Dr. Phil Rice, professor of business administration;
Dr. Amy Sonheim, professor of English; Dr. Bob Webster, professor of accounting and
holder of the George Young Chair of Business.
15 Years of Service – Sharis Armstrong, financial aid counselor; Vickie Crossno, facilities
management; Dr. Jay Curlin, the Kathryn Maddox Professor of English; Jay Derby, assistant
football coach; Beverly Dickerson, bookstore retail manager; John Hill, IT services
senior programmer/analyst; Todd Knight, football head coach; Marla Rigsby, IT services
software specialist; Dr. Caroline Taylor, professor of music; Dr. Jim Taylor, professor
of biology.
10 Years of Service – Bill Barnes, facilities management; Lisa Berry, admissions counseling
office manager; Rob Crockett, IT services computer network manager; Dr. Ray Franklin,
associate professor of Christian missions; Tonya Magby, facilities management; Karen
Matros, assistant to the dean of interdisciplinary studies; Angie May, facilities
management; Dr. Doug Nykolaishen, associate professor of Biblical studies; Dr. Stan
Poole, vice president for academic affairs.
By Trennis Henderson, OBU Vice President for Communications
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