RADFORD -- Radford University President Penelope W. Kyle welcomed faculty, students and staff from a chilly rain into the bright warmth of the Covington Center for Visual and Performing Arts for a holiday reception that she hosted for the campus community on Thursday, Dec. 11. Two hundred people joined in the celebration.

The reception culminated in a recognition ceremony for the 23 faculty members who have made retirement plans during the past year.

“These 23 faculty members represent a combined 622 years of service to Radford University,” said Kyle. “They have helped shape the lives of thousands of RU students, and they have helped to shape the university into what it is today. We will continue to build on what they have done.”

IN THE PHOTO: RU Provost Wil Stanton (front row, left) and President Kyle (front row, right) with some of the retirees honored at the Holiday Open House. In the back row, from left, are: Kimbell "Kim" Knight, Clay Waite, Jim Knipe, Tom Mullis, Don Anderson, Parks Lanier and Albert "Brack" Smith. In the front: Shalini E. Perumpral, Marilyn Meador, Gene Fellin and Sam Zeakes.

Retiring faculty members, their departments and their years of service *:

• Don Anderson, Professor, Counselor Education, 20 years
• Gene Fellin, Professor, Music, 38 years
• Bob Gill, Professor, Political Science, 32 years
• Kim Knight, Professor, Geology, 24 years
• Jim Knipe, Professor, Art, 22 years
• Parks Lanier, Professor, English, 37 years
• Marilyn Meador, Professor, Music, 30 years
• Tom Mullis, Professor, Psychology, 35 years
• Clay Waite, Professor, School of Communication, 23 years
• Sam Zeakes, Professor, Biology, 24 years
• Shalini E. Perumpral, Professor, Accounting, Finance and Business Law, 33 years
• Brack Smith, Associate Professor, Management, 28 years
• Mike Aamodt, Professor, Psychology, 25 years
• Charlie Brouwer, Professor, Art, 21 years
• Jim Davis, Associate Professor, Mathematics and Statistics, 19 years
• Dianne Friedman, Professor, Psychology, 20 years
• George Grice, Professor, School of Communication, 19 years
• Kim J. Kipling, Professor, Philosophy and Religious Studies, 24 years
• Janet L. McDaniel, Professor, Nursing, 29 years
• David B. Phillips, Professor, Music, 32 years
• John A. Roufagalas, Professor, Economics, 23 years
• Loretta Wilson, Associate Professor, Economics, 21 years

*One name is not listed, at the faculty member’s request.