Wilmington College recognized 21 members of its faculty and staff for service milestones, ranging from five to 40 years, during its annual Opening Year Meeting on Aug. 18. President Corey Cockerill and Chip Murdock, assistant vice president for student affairs, presented the honorees to their colleagues, along with sharing some almanac highlights from the years when they arrived at the College.
Five years ago, in 2021, a donut from Dunkin’ Donuts cost $1.09, Waffle House’s All-Star Platter was $7.25, and Anthony Hopkins won the Best Actor Oscar for his role in The Father. Nine new employees arrived at WC, including Jason Parrish, assistant professor of agriculture; Lindsey Mattern, assistant professor of biology; Jeff Hazelden, assistant professor of communication arts; Erin Sheeley, assistant registrar; Alison Wells, senior director of financial operations; Sonja Wilkin, assistant to the vice president for academic affairs; Christopher Silette, assistant professor of exercise science; Erin Bales, program director of occupational therapy; and Betsy Moore, education and field accreditation coordinator and assistant coach for the equestrian team.
Ten years ago, in 2016, a donut was 99 cents and the All-Star Platter cost $6.50, while Leonardo DiCaprio won the Best Actor Oscar for his role in The Revenant. Five new employees joined the faculty and staff, including Jane Bogan, associate professor of education; Kazi McDowell, director of counseling; Matthew Siders, Physical Plant staff; Daniel McCamish, director of institutional effectiveness; and Jenny Tower, associate director of admissions and agriculture recruiter.
Twenty years ago, in 2006, that same donut was 79 cents and the All-Star Platter set one back $4.75. PlayStation 3 was a popular Christmas gift, Crash won the Best Picture Oscar and Philip Seymour Hoffman won the Best Actor Academy Award for his role in Capote. That year, those coming to the College were Tammi Carpenter, enrollment coordinator and recruiter for WC Online; Lee Bowman, cataloger/librarian; and Marta Wilkinson, professor of English.
Jim FitzSimmons, professor of mathematics, joined the faculty in 1996, 30 years ago. That year, Dunkin’ Donuts sold its popular donuts for 55 cents each, a general admission ticket to Kings Island was $26, the minimum wage was $4.25, Braveheart won the Best Picture Oscar and Susan Sarandon won the Best Actress Oscar for her role as Sister Helen Prejean in the drama Dead Man Walking.
Some 35 years ago, in 1991, the donut was 50 cents, admission to King’s Island was $20, a gallon of gas cost $1.20 and Kathy Bates won the Best Actress Oscar for her role in Stephen King’s psychological thriller, Misery. That year, the College welcomed Dore Meinholtz, professor of chemistry; and Cheryl Louyallen, senior director of financial aid.
In 1986, 40 years and 14,610 days ago, WC hired J. Wynn Alexander, professor of theatre and provost/vice president for academic affairs. That year, a donut cost 35 cents, the All-Star Platter was $2.25, admission to King’s Island cost $14 and “We Are the World” won the Grammy Award for Best Song.
Finally, Becky Haines, theatre technician and fine arts secretary, is still going strong as she enters her 54th year of employment at the College. Indeed, in 1973, Dunkin’ Donuts was the same age as Haines, a 1972 WC graduate; Waffle House was still a teenager; Kings Island was only a year old — and the multiple Oscar-winning actress, Meryl Streep, was acting on the stage of the Yale School of Drama.
PHOTO: From the left are J. Wynn Alexander, who received 40-year recognition; Cheryl Louallen, 35-year; Dore Meinholtz, 35-year; and Jim FitzSimmons, 30-year.