Seven Finishing WC Careers with Conclusion of Academic Year
Wilmington College’s seven retiring faculty and staff members served the institution for a cumulative 205 ½ years. They were honored at a reception April 26.
(PICTURED) Clockwise from the top left are: Caralee Capone, Debbie Guindon, Michele Beery, Linda Tecklenburg, Don Chafin, Elizabeth Haskins and Alfred Conklin.
The group includes: Dr. Michele, Beery, professor of education; Dr. Caralee Capone, professor of mathematics; Dr. Don Chafin, professor of agriculture; Dr. Alfred Conklin, professor of chemistry and agriculture; Debbie Guindon, education support coordinator; Elizabeth Haskins, assistant professor of music; and Linda Tecklenburg, associate professor of athletic training.
Dr. Erika Goodwin, vice president for academic affairs, presented each of the soon-to-be retirees to a reception audience of colleagues, friends and family.
Michele Beery joined the education faculty in 1997 and has not only taught future teachers but also served in the administrative position of area coordinator. Dr. Gary Louis, a fellow education faculty member, shared a recollection of his job interview at WC when Beery asked him who he thought were the education faculty’s “clients.”
Upon Louis’ answer of WC’s teacher education students and their parents, Beery replied, “I believe our clients are the children who our graduates will teach. It is our responsibility to make certain that those children are served well by our graduates.”
Caralee Capone has served for 30 years in the Math Department. Goodwin noted she possesses a certain “mystique,” as Capone is an aeronautical engineer and lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Air Force who is well known for driving muscle cars, an orange Corvette and, before that, a black Trans Am.
Goodwin cited not only her prowess in the classroom but also her leadership role in the College’s self-study process that led to WC earning the gold standard, 10-year accreditation in 2003.
Don Chafin, who retired in December, came to WC in 1976 when the Agriculture Dept. had only 36 students compared to today’s nearly 300.
“Any ag grad will tell you it wasn’t just Don’s teaching that made him stand out, it was his genuine care about each of his student’s futures,” Goodwin said. “He had a knack for seeing the potential in all of us as students and would keep pushing and prodding until he got you on the track he thought you should be on.”
Al Conklin also joined the faculty in 1976. Conklin not only leaves a legacy of accomplished alumni in the sciences, but also for the High School Chemistry Night program and as a founder of the International Undergraduate Research Symposium, which has given WC students the opportunity to present their research in places like Serbia, Ecuador and the Philippines. This year’s symposium will be at WC in May.
Debbie Guindon will retire in June after 17 years with the Education Dept. Her service to teacher education students ranges from assisting with academic advising and field placement to licensure consultation, records/data management, reports, office management and assisting the area coordinator.
Michele Beery described Guindon as, “Always on the job representing the best of WC in the Wilmington community, and truly committed to going above and beyond to help our students and members of the Education Dept.”
Elizabeth Haskins has been with the Music Dept. for 39 years as a faculty member and as director of the Collegium Musicum and College-Community Chorus. Also, she is an accomplished composer whose works have been performed in the United States, Canada and Germany.
Friend and musical collaborator Lori Ann Scott, a WC alumnus, lauded Haskins for the research and forethought she puts into the voices and instrumentation used in her compositions. “Her music reflects a great emotion and sensitivity to the subject matters used to inspire her works.”
Linda Tecklenburg, a faculty member for 18 years, was instrumental in assisting the Athletic Training Dept. with implementing new competencies required by AT’s accrediting body, according to Goodwin. She also developed the curriculum in pharmacology, general medical conditions and medical terminology taught at WC. She also has helped prepare students for the national certification exam, on which she scored highest in the nation when she took it in the 1990s.
Faculty colleague Jennifer Walker, associate professor of athletic training, said, “Linda is a very knowledgeable, passionate and energetic professor who truly wants the absolute best for her students.”
