The Emeritus Faculty Council of the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) is an elite group of faculty comprised of former College of Arts and Sciences professors who have reached emeritus faculty status. Several years ago, Dean Warren Burggren saw a need to reconnect with this valuable group of retirees and began hosting annual luncheons. Attendance was good and the reconnection left them wanting more.  Including the group of almost eighty emeritus faculty on invitation lists to special events held by the College, members were expressing their desire to be involved with and give back to the university from which they had retired.  In February of 2003, Dean Burggren pulled together a dozen active and vocal emeritus faculty to comprise the Emeritus Faculty Council.  What ensued was a cohesive group of former faculty members creating their own place in the College. Under the strong leadership of G. Roland Vela and Arthur Gionet, the Emeritus Faculty Council is flourishing.

The Council also established an annual luncheon to recognize CAS retiring faculty.  Realizing that some of their activities required funding, rather than asking the Dean for College funds, the co-chairs initiated a successful fund raising campaign to fund their activities.  The Council also felt a need for an emeritus faculty presence at the convocation ceremonies for the College of Arts and Sciences. At the May 2005 convocation, the emeritus faculty walked with graduates and were recognized as Emeritus Faculty of the College of Arts and Sciences.  The Council is creating a process to mentor current faculty as they near retirement age to give them advice and keep them connected with the University after retirement.

This group has been responsible for increasing the visibility of the College of Arts and Sciences with retired professors and encouraging long-term relationships with more freshman professors. These stewardship roles will lead to increased visibility, increased retired faculty participation in campus events and increased giving through an expanded donor base.

Natalie Garcia-McIntire maintains this page.
Last updated on: Fri May 02 16:31:40 Central Daylight Time 2008