Providence, R.I.--Thirteen retiring faculty members, representing 534 years of teaching service to Providence College, were honored at a Faculty Retirement Celebration on April 7.

Nine of the faculty members have taught 40 or more years at the College. The senior member of the group with 49 years of service is Dr. Laurent Gousie, professor of German, whose contributions include serving as the longtime director of the Study Abroad Program. With the exception of, Dr. George A Raymond, associate professor of psychology, who retired after the fall semester, the retirements are effective June 30, 2009.

The celebration was hosted by College President Rev. Brian J. Shanley, O.P. '80, the Office of Academic Affairs, and the Department of Human Resources. The event included a brief speaking program, the presentation of gifts, hors d'oeuvres, and refreshments.

Before a gathering of faculty colleagues, staff, family, and friends, Dr. Hugh F. Lena, vice president for academic affairs, offered congratulations to the faculty honorees, to whom he referred as "colleagues who are graduating from the Providence College community in the Class of 2009."

"We really appreciate all that you have done for the College," he said, adding that the faculty members have taught approximately 64,000 students in 3,200 courses.

Lena also noted that Gousie, and Dr. Mario R. DiNunzio, professor of history, who's taught at PC for 47 years, will receive emeritus status upon their retirement.

Father Shanley also made note of the faculty members' length of service and said the ceremony represented a "bittersweet day" for the College.

"There's happiness knowing that you can do what you want with your life now, but it's sad that you're leaving Providence College," he said.

Father Shanley added that he's often asked about professors by alumni. "It's amazing how much you live on in your students' lives. The impact is extraordinary and keeps us doing what we're doing," he said.

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

• Dr. Alice H.R.H. Beckwith, professor of art history, 38 years
• Dr. Clement L. DeMayo, professor of mathematics, 40 years
• Richard D. Derderian '61, assistant professor of mathematics, 47 years
• Dr. Mario R. DiNunzio '57, professor of history, 47 years
• Dr. Laurent Gousie '60, professor of German, 49 years
• Dr. Stephen G. Misovich, professor of psychology, 40 years
• Dr. James W. Moorhead, assistant professor of sociology, 43 years
• Dr. Richard J. Murphy, assistant professor of English, 45 years
• Ann D. O'Connell, assistant professor of mathematics, 33 years
• Dr. George A Raymond, associate professor of psychology, 38 years
• Arthur Scott, Jr., assistant professor of sociology, 43 years
• Dr. Sally J. Thibodeau '66G, associate professor of education, 28 years
• Dr. Robert M. Zarcaro'64 & '66G, associate professor of biology, 43 years

--30--