Their years of service at California State University, Stanislaus vary from eight to 40, but all of the 29 people who are taking their retirements as 2009 draws to a close have made significant contributions during their careers with the University.

The 21 staff members and administrators who are joining the retirement world over the last six months of the year include people who have played key roles at CSU Stanislaus over the years. They take with them more than 500 years of experience, topped by veteran accounting technician (cashier) Dosie Lewis who has been on the job for 40 years.

Roger Pugh, who retired as Associate Vice President for Enrollment Management in October after eight years, brought about a number of changes in the admissions process as the University’s enrollment increased significantly. Freshmen student numbers went up more than 60 percent as the University focused on admitting more students coming out of high school under Pugh’s direction which placed a strong focus on community partnerships. Coming to CSU Stanislaus with previous experience as a teacher, counselor, and enrollment dean in his native Montana, Eastern Washington University, and Northwest Missouri State University, Pugh stepped into a new position at Stanislaus and worked closely with college deans and other academic administrators.

Mary Kobayashi Lee, who retired as Director of Human Services, also finished up her 14-year stint at CSU Stanislaus in October. She shared that “working with and serving our campus employees has been truly an honor and a wonderful learning experience,” citing her pride in the working relationships established at CSU Stanislaus that opened the way for construction accomplishments, and the fact that “we’ve always been able to talk to each other.” Known for her outgoing and upbeat style, Kobayashi Lee worked in the human resources field for more than 30 years, including stints in San Leandro, Reno, and Tuscon, before joining CSU Stanislaus. “It is now time for me to enjoy an endless summer vacation,” she said in her retirement letter.

Eight faculty have moved into retirement, including Armin Schulz of Teacher Education (18 years), Don Lawson of Student Counseling (29 years), and Mary Brace of Liberal Studies (8 years) who took full retirements. Participating in the Faculty Early Retirement Program (FERP) while continuing to teach part-time are Walter Doraz of Sociology (34 years), Enrique Lopez-Contreras of Modern Languages (12 years), Pamela Marques of Social Work (14 years), Karen Sniezek of Advanced Studies in Education (25 years), and Mark Bender (6 years), the Founding Endowed Chair of Agricultural Studies. Gary Novak of Psychology, who has served as Founding Dean of the College of Human and Health Sciences, is retiring in December (see separate story).

Dosie Lewis tops the list of staff and administration retirees. Since joining CSU Stanislaus in 1969, she has served as a familiar face at the cashiers counter, first in the Library Building and then in the Mary Stuart Rogers (MSR) Building. She participated in the change in the cashiering system from manual cards to a series of computerized networks and the current PeopleSoft system.

Cliff Bailey, a CSU Stanislaus graduate and Director of Landscaping, Transportation, and Custodial in Facilities Services, has had a lot to do with the University’s expansion from its original two buildings to the beautifully landscaped campus of today. He will retire in December with 34 years of service, but has been with CSU Stanislaus since starting as a Facilities Services student assistant in 1969.

After earning his Bachelor’s Degree in Art and teaching credential, and while serving in the Army Reserve Engineers, Bailey started a full-time laborer job in Facilities. He has served in all phases and trades of Facilities and moved into management in 1988. Active as a Boys Scout leader and with the community arts scene for many years, Bailey said he’s going to devote some of his retirement to his car restoration hobby.

A number of other management and staff with 20 or more years of experience are in the retirement group. They include Diana Bowman, Administrative Analyst of the Academic Senate office (32 years); Grace Whetstone, Evaluator in Admissions and Records (32 years); Bob Rosas, a familiar face around campus who is a shipping and receiving assistant in Financial Services (31 years); Shirley Mollard, Senior Budget Analyst in Academic Affairs (27 years); Marian Jessee, Administrative Support Coordinator in Sociology (25 years); Christine Sanders, Administrative Support Coordinator in Public Safety (25 years); Vadon “Mac” McIlwain, Associate Director of Undergraduate Admissions (24 years); Connie Bratten, Administrative Analyst in the College of Business (23 years); Kathleen Kennemer, Accounting Technician in Financial Services (22 years); Kitty Alves, Accounting Technician in Financial Services (21 years); and Katie Cravinho, Administrative Support Coordinator in Mathematics (20 years).

Jeanne Elliott, Confidential Administrative Support in the office of the Provost/Vice President for Academic Affairs, will retire at the end of the year with 39 years of public service employment. She has served at CSU Stanislaus for 22 years and another 17 at the University of California, San Francisco, and Modesto City Schools in previous employment. Suzanne Green, who served as Interim Vice President for Business and Finance for a year, retired with 35 years of California State University service, having previously worked at Sacramento State University, CSU San Marcos, and San Diego State University.

Other staff and administrative retirees include Christine Hollister, Director of Career Services (12 years); Ardean Campbell, Evaluator in Student Records (10 years); and Nancy Havens, Associate Vice President in Financial Services.