Class of retirees reflects excellence and dedication, with a combined nearly 320 years of service to UWA
Each spring, the University of West Alabama recognizes its retiring faculty and staff in a formal ceremony with family, friends, and colleagues. Like many events of 2020, the ceremony could not be held this spring due to health and safety restrictions related to gathering on campus.
“Our most recent class of retirees reflects excellence and dedication, with a combined nearly 320 years of service to UWA,” said UWA President Ken Tucker. “Because we have not been able to gather on campus to congratulate and thank these outstanding individuals for their contributions to the University, we wish to recognize them virtually, with our deepest appreciation and best wishes for the future.
Janis Beaird
Professor of Biology
Joined Faculty September 1994
Retired May 2020
“Dr. Beaird is synonymous with Anatomy & Physiology at UWA. A native Midwesterner, she trained at the University of Illinois and the University of Nebraska before completing her Ed.D. in Exercise Physiology at Alabama in 1994. She started at UWA that year as a Visiting Professor in Biology, moved into A&P when a need arose, and has been a rock in that position ever since. She was a great instructor, as evidence by the Gilbert Award she won in 1998. Dr. Beaird made a huge difference in a lot of students’ lives, including many who have gone on to make huge differences themselves as physicians or nurses. Those students reach out constantly about the role that Dr. Beaird played in their preparation. She also played a major role on campus outside of the classroom, serving as director of UWA’s Elementary Science Olympiad and as the faculty coordinator for groups such as People Against a Littered State and the pre-health society Alpha Epsilon Delta.”
— Dr. John McCall, Dean, College of Natural Sciences & Mathematics
Rita Bonner
Instructor of Mathematics
Joined Faculty August 2008
Retired May 2020
“Rita Bonner came to UWA after having firmly established herself as a legendary math teacher at Sumter Academy. Her math teams there were feared around the state, and she brought the same intellect and work ethic to UWA when she arrived. She was a workhorse, teaching lots of classes that were usually full. Her classes were full because they were populated by students who wanted to be challenged, and to learn math. Her colleagues in the Department and the College learned that Rita could be depended on to lend a helping hand whenever needed. In addition to her excellence in the classroom, Rita became one of our best recruiters. When she talked to a group of high schoolers, they wanted to come to UWA—just to take Algebra with her. We’ll miss her for her wry wit, and for her sense of integrity.”
— Dr. John McCall, Dean, College of Natural Sciences & Mathematics
Carey Moore
Associate Professor of Physics
Joined Faculty September 1980
Retired May 2020
“Carey Moore certainly has been the face of Physics at UWA for a long time, having taught our physics and astronomy classes since joining the faculty. Among the things that we’ll miss the most about Carey is his ‘institutional memory’—how things became they way they are—and his integrity. If a process involved Carey, you could be certain that it would be done the right way. When NSM was created in 1994, he became the first chair of the Department of Physical Sciences. He served in that role until 2004, overseeing a great many significant improvements in the department (as well as some of the most interesting faculty members to ever serve here). Carey also served as faculty senate president during a rather turbulent era. His encyclopedic knowledge of just about everything, ranging from history to rock and roll, will forever endear him to anyone who’s spent a few minutes (or hours) engaged in conversation.”
— Dr. John McCall, Dean, College of Natural Sciences & Mathematics
Christi George
Webmaster
Joined Staff May 1994
Retired August 2019
“Christi has been a hard-working, dedicated employee of the University. Having been a student and having worked in the President’s Office, Alumni Affairs, and Information Technology, she had a unique skill set that enabled her to wear many hats. I was consistently impressed by both Christi’s attitude toward her work and her performance on the job. She was always eager to assist people with technology-related problems to ensure operations ran as efficiently and effectively as possible. She was indeed an asset to the University.”
— Michael Pratt, Director of Information Technology
Rickey Jackson
Housekeeping
Joined Staff June 2007
Retired December 2019
“Rickey served as a housekeeper in Webb Hall for very nearly his entire time with us. He was someone we could call on whether we had a special project that needed to be completed, or maybe if Josie needed help at the Bell Conference Center. He was willing to help with anything he could, and we could count on him to make sure it was done in a timely manner and well done. Rickey has already been missed, but we wish him the best in his current and future endeavors. Thank you, Rickey, for your service to UWA.”
— Bobby Truelove, Physical Plant Director
Eddie Love
Groundskeeping
Joined Staff August 1996
Retired January 2020
“Eddie worked on the grounds crew, which came with a wide range of responsibilities that all help our University look good at all times. Over the years, Eddie could be seen all over campus mowing athletic fields and building lawns, maintaining landscaping, working in the flower beds, helping to move furniture and equipment, and assisting in set up for special events. Eddie always has a smile on his face, and all of his co-workers liked him and enjoyed working with him. Eddie served the university well for his 24-year career here and we hope he has a great retirement.”
— Bobby Truelove, Physical Plant Director
Maxine McClusky
Administrative Assistant
Joined Staff February 1997
Retired September 2019
“Maxine was an invaluable member of the Office of International Programs. She transitioned to International Programs after a lengthy tenure with the College of Business and Technology. Her tireless work with our international students helped them transition to UWA. Maxine helped each one feel at home as much as possible. She also made the transition between directors as seamless as possible because of her excellent organizational skills. Her smile and sense of humor will be missed in the office, but I know she would rather be spending time with her grandkids.”
— Dr. Mark Davis, Director of International Programs
Arthur Presswood
Warehouse Manager
Joined Staff July 1994
Retired March 2020
“Arthur worked in the housekeeping department until May of 2007, when he was promoted to Warehouse Manager. Arthur was a dedicated worker, very well-organized with an eye for detail. Arthur received all packages that were delivered to UWA and delivered them in a timely manner all over campus. Arthur was also responsible for recording all supplies issued from the warehouse. Arthur, we thank you for your many years of dedicated service to this university and wish you well in retirement.”
— Bobby Truelove, Physical Plant Director
Jimmy Robinson
Director of Print & Mail Services
Joined Staff April 1981
Retired April 2020
“Jimmy was a pleasure to work with. Under his direction, operations would be handled with utmost efficiency. His areas included the print shop, mail services, and vending. Jimmy was a loyal employee of the University and always put UWA first when any decisions were made. Under his tenure, UWA Printing won nine national awards at the national In-Plant Printing and Mailing Association’s educational meeting, including seven gold, one silver, and one bronze medal. Jimmy was recognized among his peers across the nation as a pioneer in the printing industry. Not only was he a loyal employee and colleague, I consider Jimmy a great friend of mine and a great friend and supporter of UWA. Thanks to Jimmy Robinson for 39 years of loyal support.”
— Lawson Edmonds, Vice President for Financial Affairs
Hazel Truelove
Assistant Professor of Mathematics
Joined Faculty September 1998
Retired August 2020
“Dr. Truelove has been critical to math education at UWA. She has a passion for math education, and worked extremely hard to be sure that students pursuing certification in math had the preparation that they needed. She has always been active in such groups as the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, the Alabama Council of Teachers of Mathematics, and the Association of Mathematics Teacher Educators. She researched cognition in preservice mathematics teachers. That passion reached its pinnacle when she helped put together Project INSPIRE, a $1.4 million NSF-funded program to provide scholarships for future STEM teachers in the region. Dr. Truelove could always be counted on to speak up in support of students if she felt they were not receiving the assistance that they needed. Dr. Truelove will spend her retirement here in Livingston with her family, and hopes to recover her grandfather’s formal gardens.”
— Dr. John McCall, Dean, College of Natural Sciences & Mathematics
Tim Williams
Police Officer
Joined Staff March 2012
Retired July 2019
“Tim came to UWA as a seasoned law enforcement officer. With a great attitude and willing to assist in any way possible, he would volunteer to work any time he was needed, many occasions working extra events to give others a much-needed break. As a law enforcement professional, he assisted in developing ideas and programs to improve the safety of our students, faculty, and staff. His heart was with the University, and he would be the first to raise his hand for assignments or training others that would benefit the entire region. Tim, thank you for your service and dedication to me, our department, and the UWA community. You will be missed. Enjoy your well-earned retirement.”
— Chief Jeff Manuel, University Police Department
Willie Williams
Housekeeping
Joined Staff August 1998
Retired December 2019
“Willie was a housekeeper for the Student Union Building, and at Tiger Baseball, Cross Country, and Softball facilities. Willie was like an ex-officio member of the teams he looked after. He spent time around them and enjoyed supporting them. Willie was very good at organizing and getting projects done. For that reason, he was named as a Team Leader in 2016. We miss Willie and wish him the best in his retirement. Willie, thank you for your service and leadership over the last 20 plus years.”
— Bobby Truelove, Physical Plant Director