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(front row): Christine Bryant, William Brooks, Elaine du Plessis
(back row): Edward Woodward, Joe Payne, President Lindgren
(Not pictured: William Liles) |
Members of the Randolph-Macon College community honored retirees during a reception held on April 8, 2011 in the Trustees Room of Estes Dining Hall. Professor Edward Woodward (
business/economics), William Brooks (physical plant), Christine Bryant (library), Elaine du Plessis (president’s office), William Liles (physical plant), and Joe Payne (physical plant) were lauded for their accomplishments and years of service.
R-MC President Robert R. Lindgren welcomed the retirees, faculty, staff, friends and family. “I am now in my sixth year as president of this great school, but I learned very quickly that working here is not just a job for most employees: It is a calling that goes far beyond filling the 9-5 work day,” he said. “Randolph-Macon’s faculty and staff love what they do, are loyal and committed, value the role that R-MC plays in society, and are dedicated to the well-being and success of our students.”
Lindgren lauded the retirees, saying, “We are a family that values each other and the many talents we bring to this great enterprise. Randolph-Macon is people first—always has been, always will be. That is the essence and beauty of this wonderful school.”
Edward Woodward (economics/business)
Edward Woodward retired after 28 years of service.
“Ed Woodward was a ‘full-time part-time’ faculty member during his time at R-MC,” said Provost William Franz. “For much of his time, he was classified as a part-time faculty member, but gave every measure of a full-time employee. Living our mission of lifelong learning, Ed pursued two graduate degrees while working at the college, all the while giving selflessly of his time to support the efforts of virtually every staff office on campus, even devoting his personal time to the benefit of the college. He enlivened his classes by relating real-world experiences gained from his meritorious career service to the United States Army, while constantly upholding the professionalism of the accounting profession. Ed contributed greatly to the continuing curricular development within the economics/business department, serving as a cornerstone to the accounting major. Ed is a true friend and will be sorely missed by all of us.”
Woodward earned his B.S. and M.A. at Virginia Commonwealth University.
William Brooks (physical plant)
William “Bill” Brooks, who retired after 29 years of service, was assigned to the Brock Center in 1997 when it opened. “Bill was asked to take this assignment because of his work ethic, attention to detail and team-player attitude,” said Director of Operations and Physical Plant Tom Dwyer. “It definitely turned out to be a good choice. Bill has served as a mentor for many of our housekeepers and has been invaluable in helping them to be successful in their duties at the college. We wish Bill the very best.”
Two of Brooks’ children are Randolph-Macon graduates.
Christine Bryant (library)
Christine Bryant retired after 20 years of service.
“Over the course of 20 years, Chris witnessed and implemented many changes,” said Provost William Franz. “She threaded 16 millimeter films in projectors, she ran the circulation desk when checking out books was done on cards, and she was part of the team that in 1996 moved the library to the online catalog.”
Director of the McGraw-Page Library Ginger Young said, “I’m so grateful that Chris was here when I started my new job as director. She was always willing to tackle new things as the library went increasingly electronic. She has seen major changes in library procedures, but now she gets to enjoy her days doing exactly what she wants to do. We wish Chris the best of luck in her retirement.”
Elaine du Plessis (president’s office)
Elaine du Plessis retired after nearly 16 years of service.
“Elaine has been my right arm and go-to person since the day I arrived more than five years ago,” said President Lindgren. “Her virtues and strengths have shown through in all her actions: she is efficient, loyal, dependable and trustworthy and committed to the best interests of the college. Her integrity and strength of character are her hallmarks and help define her as a person. Class, competence and grace under pressure: That is Elaine duPlessis. Thank you, Elaine, and best wishes.”
William Liles (physical plant)
William “Bill” Liles retired after 24 years of service.
“Bill has functioned as our lead automotive and equipment mechanic and is legendary in his ability to keep a lot of very old and often abused equipment running in tip-top shape on very limited budgets,” said Director of Operations and Physical Plant Tom Dwyer. “We’ve probably managed to get double the expected life out of many of our vehicles and grounds equipment due to Bill’s expertise and common sense. A great example is the large leaf-removal machine that is seen being towed around campus every fall. That machine is rumored to be vintage World War II and Bill has replaced so many parts that we don’t even know where it came from or who made it. We’re expecting it to finally give up the ghost now that Bill isn’t here to baby it. We wish Bill all the best in his retirement.”
Joe Payne (physical plant)
Joe Payne retired after 14 years of service to Randolph-Macon College.
“Joe is extremely dependable and excellent at troubleshooting and repairing plumbing problems,” said Director of Operations and Physical Plant Tom Dwyer. “He is known throughout the physical plant for his ability to communicate issues to other departments and resolve problems without anybody getting their feathers ruffled,” said. “He has a great personality and excellent people skills, both of which are valuable in our line of business. We wish Joe the very best in his well-deserved retirement and hope he continues to stay in touch.”