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| Faculty and staff gather at Arnold Speert's retirement dinner |
More than two hundred faculty and staff gathered for a festive dinner on May 19 to bid a fond farewell to President Arnold Speert and his wife Myrna.
The elegant evening, which capped several days of commencement activities, provided a special opportunity for the guests, including several retired faculty and administrators, to celebrate President Speert’s many accomplishments during his forty years on campus, including his twenty-five year tenure as president.
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A highlight of the evening was a presentation dubbed “The Story of Arnie Speert and His Travels with William Paterson University,” scripted by Jean Levitan, professor of public health, who co-chaired the planning committee with Sue Godar, professor of marketing and management, and delivered by Francisco Diaz ’86, M.A. ’87, assistant vice president for campus life.
Master of ceremonies Stu Lisbe, professor of public health, introduced several speakers who shared their memories of both Arnie and Myrna. Pam Fueshko, director of telecommunications and a 1977 graduate, reminisced about campus changes, including building and renovation projects and the growth of technology. She also discussed coordinating commencement, with its ever-changing obstacles, especially rain, which caused this year’s postponement. “I will never forget this commencement,” she said, noting the additional complication of several bears roaming the campus the day before. “This one was for the book to be written someday.”
Nancy Norville, director of the annual fund, recalled Arnie’s sense of community. “Arnie is a walking repository of all things William Paterson,” she said. “Is there anyone who knows more details about the University and our history than he? But more than facts, what really sets Arnie apart is the personal relationship he has with faculty, staff, and, most importantly, students.”
Sabrina Grant, director of athletics, recalled the president’s support of athletics, including traveling to regional and national championships from Ohio to Virginia. “These journeys served to remind me how fortunate I was to have a president so supportive of our staff and most importantly our student athletes,” she said. “Most often, Arnie was the only president in the attendance and there for all the right reasons.” Grant also toasted Myrna, calling her the “ultimate first lady. She has been unselfish in sharing her husband and her home.”
Bill Duffy, head reference librarian and former Faculty Senate president, recalled Arnie’s attendance at hundreds of meetings over the years, and read the May 6 resolution passed unanimously by the Faculty Senate recommending that Arnie be granted the rank of professor emeritus. “Whatever the future brings the Speerts, we will miss them – and never forget them,” he said. “William Paterson is a much better place for Arnie’s having been our president.”
The presentations concluded with remarks from Leslie Agard-Jones, who retired in 2008 after serving as dean of the College of Education as well as professor of African, African American and Caribbean studies. Agard-Jones encouraged President Speert to embrace this new chapter of his life. “Retirement is wonderful,” he said. “I promise you, it won’t take long for you to appreciate the benefits of having time—for yourself and your family.”
“You’ve really touched me in a lot of the things you said,” Arnie said at the conclusion of the evening. “I know I am where I am because of you. The wonderful thing about this community is that you are so vibrant and full of intellect. The stories tonight have been wonderful because they relate to people. I do cherish those stories, and having known and worked with you. It’s been a wonderful journey.”
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