Retiring Faculty Leave Legacy of Service

Five long-time members of the William Jewell College faculty were recognized at commencement services in May for their distinguished service to William Jewell College.

The retiring faculty members were Dr. Donald C. Brown, Professor of Music, Director of Church Music Studies, and Chair, who joined the Jewell faculty in 1967; Dr. Helen L. Brown, Professor of Music, who joined the full-time faculty in 1984; Dr. Marvin P. Dixon, Professor of Chemistry, who joined the faculty in 1965; Dr. C. Don Geilker, the Wallace A. Hilton Professor of Physics, who joined the faculty in 1968; and Dr. Darrel R. Thoman, Professor of Mathematics and Chair, who joined the faculty in 1962.

The retirees were asked to reflect on cherished memories of their Jewell years, the things they will miss about their Jewell experience, and their plans for retirement. Following are their responses:

Dr. Donald C. Brown:

There are many cherished memories. Working with so many fine students and faculty/staff colleagues would have to be at the top of the list. Being privileged to work with fine ensembles such as the Chapel Choir and the Handbell choirs has been particularly meaningful. I have taken approximately 80 tours with these ensembles. Starting in 1985 I have worked with Arnold Epley to make possible the every-three-year Concert Choir tours to England and Scotland. Providing enriching experiences for members of all these ensembles has been particularly satisfying. Teaching music history, church music courses, hymnody and choral and handbell ensembles has allowed me to do the things I enjoy the most. Not everyone can get paid for doing what he loves best!

I will most certainly miss the students and the opportunity to make music with them.

This summer, as a retirement gift to ourselves, Helen and I are taking our children, son-in-law, and two way-above-average grandchildren to England and Scotland. I will continue to be involved in church music leadership, either as a volunteer or as an interim minister of music.

Dr. Helen L. Brown:

There are so many cherished memories that it is difficult to select just a few. After our first year here we bought a house and several of our music students helped us move. Their willingness to spend many hours in the process is a cherished memory. Having students in our home for dinners, caroling parties, and other occasions bring cherished memories. Seven England-Scotland choir tours, hearing the choirs sing in the great cathedrals, enjoying being with the students in new experiences all bring very special cherished memories.

I will miss the students and my colleagues who are also very special friends. I will miss the beginning of each new school year when the new students come, and the joy of knowing I will have four years to have a part in their academic lives as well as in their personal lives. I will miss the graduation exit line as we form a lane for the seniors to leave through, the ending and beginning for these students. I will miss the nostalgic moments when they stop to hug and say “thank you.” All this I will miss and so much more. What other profession can afford one the opportunity to influence and share in the lives of literally hundreds of young people than in the teaching profession? What will I miss the most? I will miss the identity of being able to say I am a member of the faculty of William Jewell College because of all the above reasons.

My plans for retirement are not set in stone. Traveling is something we enjoy greatly and we have plans to do a lot of that. Apart from the traveling, I have always wanted to volunteer to work in the premature ward of a hospital to hold and cuddle the premature babies who need this special attention for their development, especially the “crack” babies. I also would like to work with at-risk and autistic children in a volunteer basis. Other opportunities will develop, and I know that music will always be an important part of my life.

Dr. Marvin P. Dixon:

I recall the years when students wrote winning papers for the Kansas City American Chemical Society Section. Our students dominated that competition until it ceased to be a program of the KC-ACS. Performing as a member of the Concert Band and assisting the Concert Choir are memory highlights. The Fine Arts [now Harriman Arts] program has enriched my life by providing experiences that might never have been possible. WonderScience, Merit Badge College, and Chem Magic have been exciting ways to share chemistry and the College with many outside the campus. I have enjoyed creating courses for the Winterim, Foundations, Oxbridge, and most recently General Education.

I will miss learning from the students. I will miss their enthusiasm for learning. I will miss the collegial cooperation that has occurred in my life across the campus with faculty, staff, administration, trustees and students.

I have a vague idea of my plans for retirement. In general, I will work on projects at home that need attention. I will remain open to opportunities that will provide a challenge and a chance to serve.

Dr. C. Don Geilker:

My fondest memories of Jewell are of the exceptional students I have had, many of whom have become lifetime friends and provided me a window into their worlds.

Teaching astronomy and electronics are two of the things I will miss the most about my Jewell experience.

During retirement, I hope at first to be professor of physics and astronomy, emeritus; that is, to continue learning and helping students with the learning process at WJC. Beyond that, as God leads.

Dr. Darrel R. Thoman:

My best memories have been those times, after a transforming experience with Christ in 1968, when I was able to sense the fulfillment of presenting Christ, my treasure and joy, to the students that have been in my classes and who have come into my office for sharing and prayer, as well as the regular times of prayer and fellowship with groups of students and dear colleagues. God only knows the extent and affect of my not-so-perfect obedience to His purposes.

My time of serving at WJC is obviously now over, but the call to follow Christ Jesus remains. I’ll continue to love God and my family, including eleven grandchildren who live nearby, as I pursue His purposes for my life. I follow by faith not knowing much about what might be involved in whatever time I have left to serve Him. But this I know: I have no intention of thinking that retirement means that I should somehow treat myself to a ‘well-deserved’ rest as if we work for 42 years so that we can play, putter, and coast throughout our remaining years before meeting the King who finished His life so differently.