Stephen F. Austin State University

 

Nineteen SFA faculty members are retiring in 2007, including several department chairmen and chairwomen, the director of the Stanley Speech and Hearing Clinic and the director of the School of Theatre. These campus leaders, as well as those faculty members who served for more than 30 years, share their memories of SFA, plans for the future and advice for new faculty:

John Anson - Psychology - 38 years

Anson said in his time at SFA he has most enjoyed working with students, and also the collegial relationships he's had with fellow faculty members.

In retirement, he and his wife are going to live part-time in Costa Rica.

"While we are in the East Texas area, we'll involve ourselves in various types of activities like grant-writing and working to develop an animal shelter in Shelby County," he said.

Anson said he has enjoyed his time at SFA.

"I think the university has challenges ahead in a population with changing demographics and economics, in terms of the rural vs. urban setting," he said. "This will make it challenging, but exciting at the same time."

Clarence Bahs - Theater -- 19 years (Director of the School of Theatre)

Bahs said his time at SFA has been a thrill, adding, "I don't know that I've had this much fun in any other job. Working with students sustains you and keeps you young. I feel most alive when I'm creating theater with students."

Bahs said the School of Theatre has grown from about 80 students when he arrived to more than 200 today. Students have the opportunity to study internationally and many have gone on to successful professional careers in the theater.

"It is a great tribute to my colleagues that so much as been accomplished," he said.

"The guidance, direction and leadership have been wonderful aspects of working here, and Dr. Ric Berry (former dean of fine arts and current associate provost) is inspiring. We've had the opportunity to create some amazing programs through the support, guidance and funding provided to us."

In his retirement, Bahs is looking forward to doing "anything he wants, when he wants."

Among his primary interests are photography, reading all the books he hasn't had time to read, and getting his bass boat running again. 

"I have a 2-year-old grandson who I hope to see more often. He's an absolute charmer," Bahs said. "My wife and I also hope to travel and see more places."

His advice to those starting out in the field is, "Bring a sense of humor and passion to your work, and realize you may have to work long hours."

Bahs said the School of Theatre has a bright future that includes a possible partnership with the drama school in Tallinn, perhaps the most prestigious training program in the world.

"We also hope to open some opportunities for students to work in Singapore with the LASALLE College of the Arts," Bahs said. "The arts are exploding in Singapore, and they are looking toward the West in developing arts. There is tremendous potential for SFA if that partnership is pursued."

Debra Bankston -- Human  Services -- 22 years (Director of Stanley Speech and Hearing Clinic)

Bankston said what she has enjoyed most about SFA is working with students, families and clients who are served by the Stanley Speech and Hearing Clinic.

"One of my clients at the clinic is 17, and I've known him since he was 2," she said. "I never thought I'd work anywhere more than two years. I've been here 22 years, and I've loved it."

Bankston also said she enjoyed serving as the faculty adviser for SFA Chapter of the National Student Speech, Language and Hearing Association for 20 years.

In her retirement, Bankston said she intends to work in private practice.

"I love doing therapy, so I will continue to work as a speech language pathologist," she said. "I'll still be very busy, but hopefully I'll have more time to spend with my family."

Bankston's advice for new faculty is, "Make SFA your home. Take pride in it, and give it your best effort. Seek to have an open door/open heart philosophy."

Bill Bryan -- Human Services -- 32 years (Department Chairman)

Bryan said it is hard for him to believe he's been at SFA 32 years.

"The time has flown," he said. "I've most enjoyed the people I've worked with, the students and the camaraderie."

Bryan said there always has been something happening in the department of human services -- whether it was another new program, another new outreach or, most recently, the construction of a new building.

"That has really made the time go quickly," he said.

Bryan said in his retirement he plans to do some traveling, take it easy and do projects around the house. His advice to new faculty: "Enjoy it, and get involved with the university as much as possible. There are always activities going on,and that's what keeps you interested."

Bob Bryant -- Human Services -- 35 years

Bob Bryant said what he appreciates most about his time at SFA, is the development of the orientation and mobility program.

"We're the only undergraduate O&M program in the United States," he said.

When Bryant arrived at SFA over three decades ago, there were very few certified orientation and mobility specialists. SFA has changed that, he said.

"Our graduates account for more than 50 percent of the O&M teachers in the state," he said, adding that program graduates have worked in almost every state in America and in four foreign countries. "It's great to see them do well in the profession."

Those unfamiliar with the O&M program may have seen the program's students practicing with blindfolds and canes on the sidewalks along North Street.

"Our students receive individualized, specialized training," Bryant said. "We're lucky to have been able to maintain the program, because by its nature there are a small number of students in it. We've always been fortunate to receive grants and to have an administration that believed in the program."

Although Bryant and his wife initially planned to stay in Nacogdoches only three years, they quickly changed their minds. Thirty-five years later, they call Nacogdoches their permanent home.

In his retirement, Bryant plans to stay active in his profession and maintain contact with graduates. He also said he will be catching up on his fishing, working to complete the "honey do" list his wife has started for him and spending more time with the four grandkids.

His advice for faculty that will follow in his footsteps is, "Be nice to your students."
 "One of my students came back and was my boss!" he said, referring to Dr. Anna Bradfield, former department chairwoman. "Twenty years after she left here, she came back with her doctorate as chairwoman of the department. I worked for her for about 10 years. She is a classic example of how well some of our students have done in this field."

Bryant said his second piece of advice is, "Don't put things off too long. Before you know it, it's time to retire. Time flies, when you enjoy what you're doing."

Mingteh Chang -- Forestry and Agriculture -- 31 years

Chang started teaching at SFA in September 1975 and retired from SFA in September 2006.

"During my tenure at SFA I was basically on a 50-percent teaching and a 50-percent research appointment," he said. "I had plenty of time to conduct research on topics of my own interest, collaborate with other faculty and work with graduate students. It was enjoyable and rewarding, especially at the moment of sharing new findings with students."

Chang said SFA provides an environment with great academic freedom, which he said is "essential for personal development and academic growth."

In his retirement, Chang said he stays three weeks each month in Nacogdoches and one week in Houston.

"While in Nacogdoches I still come to my office every day to work on a new book," he said. "I am happy with what I have done, but if I could do it all over again I would strengthen my basic training on math, physics and chemistry. A person with a strong background in these basic sciences generally does better than those without a strong background. Also, I would concentrate my research on one or two topic areas rather than spreading over many different areas."

Ron Claunch -- Political Science -- 36 years (Department Chairman)

In his nearly four decades at SFA, Claunch said he has never considered looking for employment anywhere else. He said he enjoyed the work environment and the community itself far too much to ever leave.

"I've enjoyed working with students and watching many of them overcome obstacles to success in getting a degree or completing graduate school," he said. "I've also had good colleagues and close friends at work."

Claunch said he's enjoyed serving as department chairman, which has given him a chance to see tangible results of decisions that have been made.

In his retirement, Claunch said he intends to stay in Nacogdoches, pursue activities in his church, spend time with his grandchildren, and increase his 5K run to the marathon level. He also wants to spend more time with his wife.

"I'm in good health, and I'd like to see my grandchildren grow up, go to college and maybe marry," he said. "I enjoy woodworking, finishing furniture and stamp collecting. I'm not concerned about not having a single focus in my retirement. My friends who've retired and remained in the community tell me they're busier than they ever been. I'm
looking forward to it, and it's time."

Linda Morales  -- Social Work -- 19 years (Department Chairwoman)

Although Linda Morales received her bachelor's degree in literature from SFA, she eventually made her career in social work. 

"When I came to SFA 19 years ago, I came from the mental health setting," she said. "My first year, I wasn't so sure I had made the right decision. By my second year, it had become a passion."

Teaching and working with students has been her greatest passion, and Morales said few things are as rewarding as seeing students graduate as social workers and go on to make positive changes in the communities in which they live.

As for those who are just starting out the field, Morales offered this advice: "Treat everything as a learning experience."  

Morales said many professors consider themselves experts in their fields and tend to forget they still have a lot to learn.

"Learn from your students and your colleagues," she said.

Morales said she intends to return to SFA as a student, after retirement. She and her husband also will work on a volunteer basis meeting the needs of new immigrants.

"We're active with the church, Centro Familiar Cristiano," she said."There are employment, housing and spiritual needs to be met, and we're working to meet the needs in that community."

Morales said she treasures the rich experience and support she has had with her coworkers.

Patrick Mueller -- Criminal Justice -- 23 years (Department Chairman)

Mueller said he came to Nacogdoches to work for East Texas Legal Services to "litigate against the establishment and for the poor." He had spent his first 10 years after law school in the Army investigating frauds against the Army and "war crimes."

When the chance came along for Mueller to teach, he said he took it. The "island of enlightenment" he found at SFA made it a great place to work, he said.

"There are many faculty whom I take with me into my retirement memories," he said.

"About 12 years ago James Standley put me among the administrators. However, I always missed the classroom. For me, being an administrator was a challenge but never close to the pleasures and satisfaction of being a teacher."

Mueller has now left the "green curtain of East Texas for the wide-open spaces of the west." Still, he said there are warm memories of caring teachers and receptive students.

He and his wife built a small house on a rolling prairie of 24 acres of grass and mesquite.

"On most evenings I sit on my porch and watch the sunset and say 'Yea God, good show," he said.

Mueller's advice for new faculty: "Don't take yourself too seriously and accept the results that come your way. Remember the Biblical parable of the sower (Matthew, Chapter 13). Be happy with those who are receptive to the knowledge you are throwing out."

Bob Ramsey -- Communications -- 40 years (Department Chairman)

Ramsey graduated from SFA, and he said he aspired to be a Lumberjack as young as age 5.

He met his wife at SFA, and all three of their children are SFA alumni. After working in radio and television, Ramsey decided to enter the world of academia. He said there was never really any question about where he wanted to work.

"Most people have DNA," Ramsey said. "But I have SFA. If I ever committed a crime, they'd have to do an SFA analysis."

Ramsey said he started out his own college experience at SMU on a football scholarship, but he quickly became homesick and enrolled at SFA, where he was awarded a basketball scholarship.

"I was a jock, and the idea that I ended up as a pointy-headed professor came as quite a shock," he said.

In their retirement, the Ramseys plan to enjoy their grandchildren, read, and work on their vegetable garden.

David Shows -- Kinesiology -- 40 years

Shows said he has most enjoyed the small-school atmosphere at SFA, where most faculty and staff know each other across campus. He said he has also enjoyed the freedom to develop new courses.

"I plan to do a lot of traveling in retirement," he said. "I'm going to London at the end of May, and I bought a fifth-wheel. I'm leaving for a camping trip four days after I teach my last class."

Shows also said he has bought some new tools to use in his woodworking. His advice to new faculty -- "Get involved across campus. Serve on committees, so you learn about more than just your own discipline."

Other retiring faculty members include: Kristi Dixon Bills, elementary education, with 22 years of service; Donald E. Bowen, physics and astronomy, with 16 years of service; William Hearell, English and philosophy, with 21 years of service; James Edwin Howard, economics and finance, with 31 years of service; Leah Smith, elementary education, with 17 years of service; Jerry Tyler, sociology, with 11 years of service; Jan Vanderlaan, nursing, with 19 years of service and Linda F. White, English and philosophy, with 24 years of service.