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USM Honors 10 Retired Faculty and Distinguished Staff Members at Recent Commencement Ceremonies

May 15, 2008

During recent Commencement ceremonies on May 10, the University of Southern Maine recognized the following retired faculty members upon whom emeritus status has been conferred.  Emeritus status recognizes significant contributions to USM and the communities it serves.

Professor Emerita of Teacher Education Nancy Austin of Yarmouth, retired after a distinguished career at USM during which she shaped a generation of mathematics teachers. Recently she worked on the development of a state curriculum for math and science education.

Professor Emeritus of Education Richard Barnes of Kennebunkport was a leader in the College of Education and Human Development, serving as associate dean of the College in 1991-92, and interim dean and dean, respectively, for a decade.

Professor Emerita of Business Jean Gutmann of Portland was honored for her dedication to USM over the past 31 years. She served as interim dean of the School of Business in 1994-95, and associate dean from 1999-2006. She received USM’s Faculty Senate Award for Excellence in University Service in 2007.

Professor Emerita of Nursing Anne Keith of New Gloucester was awarded the USM Senate Faculty Award for Excellence in Teaching in 1997, and in 2006, she was awarded the Provost’s Fellowship for Excellence in Teaching. Her legacy at USM has been the development and implementation of the Dominican Republic Health Partnership.

Associate Professor Emeritus of Technology Albert Kirk of Portland retired after more than 30 years of service as a teacher and leader in the field of occupational safety and environmental health.  In recent years, he served as USM’s director of campus environmental safety and health, developing one of the best training and compliance programs in New England.

Professor Emerita of History Diana Long of Brunswick helped pioneer the application of feminist analysis on the field of medical and social history. She served as director of USM’s Women and Gender Studies Program from 1989 to 1995. In 2003, she was awarded USM’s Kathleen MacPherson Award as an Outstanding Feminist Scholar.

Professor Emeritus of Technology Education Robert Nannay of Old Orchard Beach retired after 35 years of service to USM during which he was the coordinator of the undergraduate and graduate technology education programs in the Department of Technology. He is a recipient of the USM Faculty Achievement Award and the USM Faculty Senate Award for Community Service.

Professor Emeritus of Chemistry Thomas Newton of Falmouth retired after a 21-year career during which he earned several National Science Foundation grants that enabled him to further his research agenda and to integrate research-based experiential learning into the undergraduate curriculum. One NSF grant enabled the development of the research-based introductory organic chemistry laboratory at USM.

Professor Emeritus of Chemistry W. Gale Rhodes of Portland retired after a 23-year career of scholarship, teaching and service to students.  His book, “Crystallography Made Crystal Clear: A Guide for Users of Macromolecular Models,” is considered standard reading in the field. In 2002 he was named a USM College of Arts and Sciences Outstanding Teacher/Scholar.

Professor Emerita of Nursing Marianne Rodgers, formerly of Old Orchard Beach, twice served as interim dean of the College of Nursing and Health Professions.  She also served as chair of both the undergraduate and graduate nursing programs, and she initiated the accelerated nursing program that brought non-nursing baccalaureate graduates into the field of nursing in order to address the statewide nursing shortage.

Also recognized during the ceremony was Associate Director of Advising Services Rodney Mondor of Portland, who was named winner of the Distinguished Professional Staff Award. He plays an integral part in providing students with guidance on a range of personal, academic, and professional topics. Mondor is secretary of Equality Maine, serves on the Foster Parent Advisory Board of Cumberland County and is the original organizer of the annual charitable Portland Thanksgiving Dinner.

Administrative Assistant Carol Taylor of Windham was recognized as the 2008 recipient of Distinguished Classified Staff Award. She works in the Dean’s Office of the University of Maine School of Law.  Taylor was recognized for her exemplary work at the School of Law and her volunteerism in the community. She is a past member of USM’s Classified Staff Senate, volunteers at the Preble Street Resource Center, and is a 36-year member of a sorority that assists disadvantaged families and elderly shut-ins.

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