Sixty-eight Bemidji State employees with a combined total of 935 years of service were recognized for their careers at BSU during the university’s annual Emeriti, Retirement and Milestone ceremony in the Beaux Arts Ballroom.
Seven employees were recognized for tenures with the university of 30 years or more, including Tamera Mayer — an office and administrative specialist in the Bemidji School of Nursing who has worked at BSU for 35 years.
The ceremony, held April 30 in BSU’s Beaux Arts Ballroom, also recognized three retiring faculty members who are earning emeritus status who have a combined total of 93 years of service to the university.
2015 Emeriti
• James Rafferty, professor emeritus of psychology – 39 years
• Rosealie Weaver, professor emerita of English – 28 years
• Craig Hougen, professor emeritus of human performance, sport and health – 26 years
Retirees
Russell Hansen, director of programming, network and servers, 42 years; Pamela Papp, customer service specialist, Office of Financial Aid, 42 years; Valerie Mason, office admin specialist, Office of Communications and Marketing, 38 years; George Taylor, physical plant, 33 years; Darla Finnegan, office admin specialist, College of Health Sciences and Human Ecology, 32 years; Kathryn Berglund, graphic designer, Office of Communications and Marketing, 29 years; Edwin Driscoll, general maintenance worker, 26 years; Robert Viktora, physical plant, 17 years; Robyn Schulke, technician, A.C. Clark Library, 15 years; Dr. David Smith, associate professor of business administration, 13 years; Steven Sertich, head women’s hockey coach, 8 years.
Employment Milestones
35 years — Tamera Mayer, office admin specialist, Bemidji School of Nursing.
30 years — Roderick Henry, professor of business administration; Dr. Gerald Morine, professor of chemistry; Dr. Kerry Openshaw, professor of biology; Wayne Robins, general maintenance worker; Sandra Steffen, procurement and logistics agent; Randy Tisdell, general maintenance worker.
25 years — Dr. Dwight Fultz, associate professor of psychology; Debra Krueger, office admin specialist, technology, art & design; Lesa Lawrence, director of financial aid; Diane Morris, biology lab service specialist; Steven Sundahl, associate professor of technology, art and design.
20 years — Cheryl Byers, professor of social work; Patrice Conely, associate professor of library; William Crews, athletic trainer; Marjorie Giauque, director of career services; Patrick Guilfoile, associate vice president of academic affairs; Tim Kroeger, professor of environmental, earth and space studies; Donna Palivec, professor of human performance, sport, and health; Linda Rassmussen, accounting officer, BSU Alumni & Foundation; Kimberly Schulz, medical techonologist; Randall Westhoff, professor of mathematics and computer science.
15 years — Thomas Beech, professor of political science; Duane Biehn, associate professor of campus recreation; Debra Cornell, server manager; Dana Danielson, central service admin specialist; Craig DuMarce, computer labs tech support; Michelle Frenzel, registrar of records and registration; Colleen Greer, dean, College of Arts and Sciences; Michelle Ladig, intermediate office and admin specialist, College of Arts and Sciences; Judy Olson, professor of professional education; Debra Peterson, professor of sociology; Tammy Rogers, account clerk senior; Susan Strong, general maintenance worker;
10 years — Julie Adams, management analyst, eLearning/D2L; Chad Blake, plumber; Tammy Bobrowsky, acquisitions/serials librarian; Marie Bock, teclecomm support analyst; Dax Day, general maintenance worker; Justin Enfield, general maintenance worker; Bradley Folkestad, director of sports information; Troy Gilbertson, professor of criminal justice; Russell Hemstock, security manager; Theodore Henry, general maintenance worker; William Maki, vice president for finance and administration; Miriam Rivera-Hokanson, associate professor of languages and ethnic studies; William Wright, plant maintenance engineer.
5 years — Jennifer Atteberry, assistant professor of nursing; Benjamin Baird, assistant track & field coach, intercollegiate athletics; Shawn Callagan, stationary engineer; Mary Carlson, office and admin specialist; Leah Carpenter, professor of accounting; Mary Fairbanks, associate professor of accounting; Leah Girard, TRiO/Upward Bound associate director; Patricia Hartshorn, office admin specialist; Carol Hess, human resources assistant; Tiffany Hommes, associate professor of nursing; Brodie Karger, tech support analyst; Peter McDonnell, assistant professor, systems librarian; Douglas Olney, director of institutional research and effectiveness; Geri Olson, classroom technology manager; Roxanne Pickle, assistant professor of professional education; Carolyn Townsend, associate professor of nursing; Michael Urban, associate professor of professional education.