Eight of the 15 faculty members who are retiring at the end of this academic year gather with College President Rev. Brian J. Shanley, O.P. ’80, far left, and Dr. Hugh F. Lena, vice president for academic affairs, far right, during the recent retirement celebration. From left are Dr. John J. Colby, Dr. Robert I. Krasner ’51, Peter J. Bongiorni, C.P.A., Robert L. Deasy ’53, Edward A. Sullivan, Rosalind Y. Chua, Dr. Theodore N. Bosack, and James B. Baker ’59.

The faculty members—representing 577 years of service to the College—will be retiring at the end of the 2007-08 academic year.

Two of the faculty members boast 50 or more years of service to the College. Robert L. Deasy ’53, associate professor of history, has taught at PC for 52 years, and Dr. Robert I. Krasner ’51, professor of biology, has been with the College for 50 years.

College President Rev. Brian J. Shanley, O.P. ’80 said the ceremony represented a “wonderful day, but also a sad day.” He continued, “It’s a day to rejoice in your accomplishments, but it’s also a little sad because you won’t be around campus anymore.” 

Father Shanley added that although “we often don’t know what kind of effect we have on students’ lives, all of you have thrown seeds to students that have borne fruit.”

Also offering remarks was Dr. Hugh F. Lena, vice president for academic affairs. “It’s a little bit overwhelming to describe the accomplishments of all these people, but they certainly are impressive,” he said.

Each faculty member was given a digital camera and informed that Providence College “captain’s chairs” were being delivered to their homes.

The retiring faculty members, with their current rank and years of service to PC, are:

James B. Baker ’59, professor of art, 37 years
Peter J. Bongiorni, C.P.A., assistant professor of accountancy, 34 years
Dr. Theodore N. Bosack, professor of psychology, 41 years
Dr. Elaine O. Chaika, professor of linguistics in English, 37 years
Rosalind Y. Chua, professor of music, 31 years
Dr. John J. Colby, professor of psychology, 41 years
Robert L. Deasy ’53, associate professor of history, 52 years
Richard N. Elkington, associate professor of photography, 35 years
Dr. Raymond J. Hanlon, associate professor of education, 47 years
Dr. Robert I. Krasner ’51, professor of biology, 50 years
Dr. Richard H. Lavoie ’62, associate professor of mathematics, 37 years
Dr. Edward P. McCrorie, professor of English, 44 years
Rev. James F. Quigley, O.P. ’60, associate professor of theology, 24 years
Sister Ann P. Stankiewicz, O.P., associate professor of philosophy, 27 years
Dr. Edward A. Sullivan, associate professor of education, 40 years
      

Robert L. Deasy ’53, associate professor of history, left, chats at the celebration with Dr. Stephen J. Mecca, professor of physics. Deasy, who has taught at the College for 52 years, has the longest service of the 15 retiring faculty members.