Faculty and staff retirees will be missed

At this time of year, it's not just the graduating seniors who are saying goodbye and heading off in new directions; several long-time faculty and staff members are retiring and as a group, they have served Roanoke for 243 years! Their presence on campus will be missed.

Psychology professor Dr. Charles Early has been at Roanoke since 1988. Early served as department chair for a number of years, and his "History of Psychology" course has been referred to as a "tough rite of passage" for psychology majors. Over the years, Early has taught 20 different courses, published a book and numerous papers, and made dozens of presentations. He is a member of Phi Kappa Phi and Psi Chi, as well as several professional organizations. He is recipient of the Roanoke College Faculty Scholar award. His personal interests include reading, fitness, astronomy, and collecting classic comic books. Students respect him for his teaching and advising abilities, and his colleagues promise to remember his mantra that "students are our motivation."

Dr. Jan Lynch has been teaching psychology at Roanoke since 1980. In 1988, she was named Outstanding Professor of the Year by Roanoke's chapters of Blue Key and Cardinal Key for her enthusiasm in the classroom and her availability to students. In 1993, Lynch was presented the Dean's Council Award for Exemplary Teaching. She holds memberships in numerous professional organizations. She has been active on campus committees and as a faculty advisor for student groups. Lynch established the department's internship program, which a model for the College. Off campus, Dr. Lynch shares her expertise with many outside organizations as a guest speaker and volunteer, and she served as a mentor in the Roanoke County Schools' Mentor Apprenticeship Program. Lynch has been a cherished friend and colleague to those in her department and to many others across the campus.

Though Dr. Larry Lynch arrived on campus two years earlier than his wife, Jan, they are retiring in tandem. Read more about Lynch and a new scholarship created in his honor.

Dr. Jeff Spielman taught math and statistics at Roanoke since 1986. Spielman was instrumental in designing the College's concentration in statistics. He was the sponsor of Pi Mu Epsilon, the mathematics honor society. Spielman's research interests include resampling, knot theory, and "fuzzy mathematics," and he introduced these topics to hundreds of individuals through colloquium talks and his courses. Spielman's numerous published works include a module for "Exploring Power and Speed in Baseball" that was one of the earliest examples of teaching statistics through baseball. He followed this up with independent studies and a May term course on baseball statistics. He is a fan of the local Salem Red Sox baseball team and of the Pittsburgh Pirates and Steelers professional teams. He is known for his sense of humor and his patient and encouraging teaching style.

George Arthur has been with the College since 1978 as a teaching associate, resident artist and the College's coordinator of fine arts technical services. Read more about Arthur and a new scholarship created in his honor.

Sherrie Streng, director of operations for admissions and financial aid, has served the College for 29 years in a variety of positions. She began in the resource development office, then moved to the admissions office. In 1994 she was promoted to Director of Operations for Admissions and Financial Aid. While working full-time, Streng enrolled in classes on campus, earning her bachelor's degree cum laude at Roanoke in 1995. Methodical and efficient, Streng instituted new procedures in the admissions office to help it run more efficiently and sustain exceptional growth. She also helped launch several admissions programs, including the Scholarship Competition and admissions open houses. In 1999, Streng received the Distinguished Service Award, which recognizes outstanding accomplishments and distinguished service of College staff members. Her dedication to the College, her work ethic and her ability to rise to a challenge have been key to her success at Roanoke.

Nurse Robin Strosnider, assistant director for student health, has been a beloved face on campus since 1990. A certified college health registered nurse, she takes wonderful care of Roanoke's students, both physically and emotionally. She received the College's first STAR Award, which recognizes individuals who act above and beyond the call of duty, and the 2011-2012 Outstanding Collaboration with Academic Affairs Award. She also received the 1999 Medical Award from the Mental Health Association of the Roanoke Valley.

Strosnider is the co-advisor for the Health Education Awareness Team and is best known for her programming on human sexuality, which combines humor and safety education in memorable and interesting ways for the students. She also organizes sexual assault awareness activities such as "Take Back the Night" and "Walk a Mile in Her Shoes." She frequently leads stress-reduction programs for the students and she has taught many CPR classes. She is known for her reliability, genuine concern, her trademark laugh, and her ability to calmly intervene with a student in crisis, as well as her support for parents worried about their children.

Carolyn Trail, telecommunications manager, is retiring this summer after 24 years of service at Roanoke. She initially served as the education department secretary and later moved to the campus safety office, where she served as its administrative coordinator several years. While in this position, Trail received Roanoke's Distinguished Service Award. Her creative talents, people skills, work ethic, positive attitude and efficiency earned her this honor, according to her colleagues. In 2001, she became the College's telecommunications coordinator. She is an avid supporter of Maroon athletics and a friend, advisor and cheerleader for the students she encounters each day.

Roanoke College thanks each of these retirees for their devoted years of service and wishes them the best as they pursue their retirement goals.