University of Memphis President Shirley Raines will host 36retiring members of staff and faculty at her home this weekend inhonor of their service at The U of M.
In the past, The University never formally recognized retiringstaff members. Instead they were honored in their individualdepartments, said Marty Alberg, executive assistant to thepresident.
Faculty, on the other hand, was normally honored duringConvocation and the Convocation luncheon with the AuRevoir/Distinguished Service Award, an award in the shape of apyramid in recognition of their work.
However, this year Convocation was held too early, in March, toincorporate the retiring faculty ceremony, and a separate ceremonywas created to honor all who are retiring, Alberg said.
"Providing enough years of service to this University to retireis worth honoring," Alberg said, adding that combining the groupsinto one ceremony "is a more notable way to recognize thesepeople."
Retiring faculty and staff will be honored together in a jointceremony April 29 from 4-6 p.m.
Alberg said having the event at the president's home is the bestpossible location and gives the event stature, which not onlyelevates the standard of appreciation for the retiring employeesbut is also more cost-efficient.
"It is important to the president and the administration tohonor people who have years and years of service," Alberg said.
English Professor Gordon Osing will be one of the retiringhonorees at the end of this semester.
"I'm 66, and I get a raise if I retire," Osing said.
Osing will return to teach part-time at The University, howeverhe said he is ready to stay home most days.
"It's really a matter of money, plus I have no committeemeetings and no responsibilities except to teach," Osing said.
During his time here, Osing has brought many importantadditions, like the River City Writers Series, which he considersto be one of the best visiting writers series in America. From thisseries the creative writing undergraduate and graduate programswere created.
Osing said he is looking forward to reading about culturalhistory and writing during his retirement.
Daniel Fletcher, associate professor in the School of Music, isalso retiring. Fletcher was surprised at the fact that he would beable to retire this year.
"About six or seven months ago I realized I could do it(retire)," Fletcher said, adding that he wants to spend more timewith his young children.
Fletcher said he is looking forward to teaching piano at theRhodes Academy of Music, yet he will not be as involved there as heis here because he wants to have time for his family.
As he looked back over his career at The U of M, Fletcher saidhis greatest achievement as a performer was winning aninternational piano competition in 1984.
As a teacher, he said his greatest achievements were achievingmaster teacher status as a music teacher and seeing theaccomplishments of his students.
Fletcher said he will really miss his U of M students, who arelike family to him.
"(I have) lots of students, and I love every one of them justabout," Fletcher said.
