On December 3, Clark College employees gathered in Gaiser Student Center to nibble on pastries from the Bakery Department, celebrate the holidays, and honor their colleagues who are retiring during the 2013-14 academic year.

Thirteen retirees were retiring this year; together, they have provided the college with a combined 241 years of service. Five of the retirees had worked at Clark for more than three decades each, a testament to the college’s work environment.

One of those longtime employees, Early Childhood Education and Psychology professor Kathy Bobula, spoke about the change she has seen at the college over her 31 years of working here. “When I came here, there were about 4,000 students, no computers–we used chalk,” she said as she accepted an honorary plaque. “And I knew everybody. … There is sometimes a wistful longing for those days, when we all knew each other and the college was smaller. But look at how many more student we’re serving now–that’s a good thing.”

Bobula, like many retiring faculty members, plans to continue teaching part-time after her retirement. “You can’t just give up your audience cold turkey,” she quipped. “You have to do it gradually.”

Economics professor John Fite, however, says he will be content to leave the classroom and spend time with his wife traveling and enjoying their second home in the San Juan Islands. Of course, this is his third retirement: Fite served in the U.S. Air Force for 20 years, followed by 18 years working as a commercial airline pilot.

Director of Business Services Karen Wynkoop, meanwhile, is already searching for a good volunteer position to keep her occupied after leaving Clark. Wynkoop says she will miss both her colleagues and the students she met while working on the ASCC Finance Committee, some of whom she still keeps in touch with.

Vice President of Tim Cook addressed the assembled guests and offered thanks to the retirees on behalf of the college. “We are truly a fortunate college,” he said, noting how many retirees had stayed at Clark for decades. “It shows we are still a nice, family environment and a nice place to work, where people care about each other.

The 2013-14 retirees are:

FACULTY

Katherine Bobula was hired to teach Early Childhood Education as a faculty member in September 1982.  She was awarded tenure in 1985 and has taught in both the ECE and Psychology departments. Professor Bobula will retire on June 20, 2014, after 31 years of service to Clark College.

Becky Ellis was hired as a faculty member in Nursing in September 2003. She was awarded tenure in 2010. Professor Ellis is retiring on June 20, 2014, after 8 years of service to Clark College.

John Fite was hired as a faculty member in Economics in September 2006. He was awarded tenure in 2010. Professor Fite will retire on August 30, 2014, after 7 years of service to Clark College.

Stephen Jones was hired as a faculty member in Biology in September 2007. He retired on June 20, 2013, after 6 years of service to Clark College.

Otto Schlumpf was hired as a faculty member in Philosophy in January 1988. He retired on June 20, 2013, after 25 years of service to Clark College.

Ian Titterton was hired as a faculty member in Culinary Arts in September 2005. He was awarded tenure in 2008. Professor Titterton will be retiring on June 20, 2014, after 8 years of service to Clark College.

Classified Retirees

Irene Benack served as a Fiscal Technician Supervisor in Accounting. She was originally hired in 1999 and retired from her position on September 12, 2013, after 14 years of service to Clark College.

Michele Eason was originally hired in 1981 in Admission. She retired from her her current position as Program Assistant in the Financial Aid Department on July 31, 2013, after 31 years of service to Clark College.

Linda Fifarek was originally hired part-time as a Cashier 1 in the Bakery Department in January 1979. She retired from her her current permanent position as Fiscal Technician lead in the Culinary Arts Department on August 5, 2013, after 32 years of service to Clark College.

Tom Kaarto (Facilities Services) was hired as a full-time temporary Carpenter Lead in the Maintenance Department in August 1981. He retired from his current permanent position as Maintenance Mechanic 3 in the Facilities Services Department on September 26, 2013, after 31 years of service to Clark College.

Scott Root (Information Technology) was hired as a Media Services Operator in the Media Department in August 1981. He is retiring from his current position as an Information Technology Specialist 3 in the IT Department on December 31, 2013, after 32 years of service to Clark College.

Peggy Winston was hired as an Office Assistant 2 with the Foundation in September 1997, retiring from her current position as Program Coordinator in the Music Department. She retired from her position on October 31, 2013, after 9 years of service to Clark College.

Exempt Retirees

Karen Wynkoop was hired as Director of Business Services in the Administrative Services Department. She was originally hired in 2005 and is retiring from her position on December 31, 2013, after 7 years of service to Clark College.

 

Photos: Jenny Shadley/Clark College

Associate Vice President of Human Resources Darcy Rourk contributed to this article.

View more photos on Flickr.

In 2007, Clark College President Bob Knight introduced a new honor at Clark College: the presidential coin.

The coin is given to faculty and staff members who provide exemplary service to Clark students, the college and the community. The honorees are decided by the president and are kept secret until the names are announced–generally on Opening Day in the fall or during the annual State of the College address.

Five Clark College employees received Presidential Coins during Opening Day 2013 on September 11. They were:

Karen Wynkoop

Before coming to Clark in 2005, Director of Business Services Karen Wynkoop had already had a distinguished career in higher education. She served as Assistant Vice President of Equity and Diversity and as Organizational Development Specialist at Washington State University; prior to that, she worked at The Evergreen State College in a variety of positions, starting as an accountant and concluding her time there as Associate Vice President for Academic Budget and Financial Planning.

Knight said that Wynkoop “has provided strong and steady leadership of the college’s financial management system and budget process during years of rapid growth as well as dramatic cuts in state funding,” adding that she “is widely recognized throughout the state as one of the premier business officers in the system.”

 

Dani Bundy

During her 10 years at Clark College, Dani Bundy has worked in Eligibility Programs, Credentials, Advising, the Vice President of Student Affairs Office, and Financial Aid. She is currently Assistant Director of Financial Aid. Knight commended Bundy for “never [leaving] a department without implementing a new enhancement that improved efficiencies.”

Knight added that because Bundy is a Clark alumna herself, “she understands the external and internal barriers that students encounter along their educational paths. Because of this, she is always thinking of solutions that will benefit students.”

 

Dr. Travis Kibota

Biology professor Travis Kibota has worked at Clark for almost 20 years. During that time, he has twice served as interim dean and is currently division chair of Life Sciences. “He has great vision, is a team player, and has a perfect handle on all of the dynamics of how Clark College works,” said Knight.

Knight added: “He eagerly works with people throughout the college as a connector, which makes him successful in the roles he plays as a faculty member, in administration, on committees, and as a grant developer.”

 

Cindy Heck

Planning and Effectiveness Administrative Assistant Cindy Heck began working at Clark while still a student here, interning with the Legal Secretary program in 1995. That led to a part-time position, which moved to fulltime in 1998.

“Cindy’s ability to see the big picture, attention to detail, practical nature, outstanding work ethic, and sincere care for others all make her an obvious choice for the Presidential Coin,” said Knight.

 

Heather King

Business and Health Sciences Administrative Assistant Heather King also got her start at Clark as a student, graduating in 1991 and returning, after receiving her B.A. from WSU, for a Certificate of Proficiency in Clinical Office Assistant in 1998. She began working at Clark as a fiscal specialist in the Office of Instruction, moving to BHS in 2009.

“She is the thread that hold the BHS unit together,” Knight said. “Her years of dedicated service to Clark College in many areas of the institution; her commitment to students, faculty, and staff; her service on multiple committees are but a few oft he reasons she is receiving this coin.”