Retiring professors Chris Weaver, Larry Campbell, Allen Wuertz, Vicki Wuertz,
Pat Anderson, Bob Baum, FSC President Anne Kerr and Past FSC President Tom Reuschling.

LAKELAND, Fla. (Apr. 25, 2011) -- Seven distinguished Florida Southern College faculty members were celebrated this week by their friends, family members, and colleagues at a retirement reception held in their honor. The ceremony provided a touching opportunity for FSC faculty and staff to express their gratitude to the departing professors and to thank them for the contributions they each made to the College. Together, they provided more than 200 years of service to Florida Southern College students.

"It's the hardest thing to say goodbye to colleagues that we have grown to love and revere," said President Anne Kerr. Kerr went on to say that while retirement is bittersweet, the former faculty members will do exciting and fascinating things in the future. "The impact you've had on the students you taught can never really be articulated," she said in her address. "You are truly the essence of Florida Southern College."

During the ceremony, it was noted that every outgoing professor will choose to receive either a campus painting or a chair from FSC to recognize their service to the school. In addition, each retiring faculty member was individually recognized by fellow colleagues for the tremendous work they have done to enhance the education and collegiate experience for generations of Florida Southern students. Each was noted for his or her work as a mentor, commitment to creating a challenging curriculum for students, leadership within the departments, and service to Florida Southern College.

Several former faculty members returned to the College for the day to attend the ceremony and honor the retirees. They echoed the bittersweet tone of the event as they remarked on both the freedoms of retirement and the sadness of leaving the daily activity of the FSC campus.

Each retiring faculty member made a remarkable contribution to FSC. Dr. Patrick Anderson, Dr. Robert Baum, Dr. Laurence Campbell, Dr. Barbara Giles, Dr. Christopher Weaver, Dr. Allen Wuertz, and Dr. Victoria Wuertz, will be greatly missed by the entire College community.

The Honorees

Dr. Patrick Anderson began at FSC in 1986 as a professor of criminology. He was instrumental in building the criminology program at FSC into the influential department it is today. Dr. Anderson has published three editions of Introduction to Criminal Justice, which is considered a leading text in the field. Most recently, he published The Decision-Making Network: An Introduction to Criminal Justice, with co-author Dr. Risdon Slate, FSC criminology professor.

Dr. Robert Baum has been with FSC since 1982 and served as professor of biology, chair of the biology department, and coordinator of premedical studies. He is a member of the American Society of Microbiology, Sigma Xi, and the American Association for Advancement of Science. He also helped develop an articulation agreement between Florida Southern College and the University of South Florida College of Medicine wherein FSC graduates who meet certain criteria are given priority admission to the USF College of Medicine.

Dr. Laurence Campbell's record of service to FSC began in 1971. He was professor of biology and was appointed in 1999 to the Jessie Ball duPont Chair in the Natural Sciences. Dr. Campbell's professional interests include molecular mechanisms of physiological adaptation, and he is a member of the American Association for the Advancement of Science.

Dr. Barbara Giles, professor of political science, came to FSC in 1986. She earned a bachelor of arts from the University of Massachusetts and both her master's and doctoral degrees from the University of Tennessee. She believed in her students and pushed them to achieve the highest of standards. Her assistance to her colleagues and contributions to the Political Science Program were repeatedly remarked upon during the ceremony.

Dr. Christopher Weaver was with FSC for over 35 years and served as professor of psychology as well as the department chair. He was described by Dr. Patrick Smith, assistant professor of psychology, as an "icon" in the psychology department who cared deeply for everyone he worked with. Dr. Weaver expressed his appreciation of the faculty, staff, and administration during his time at FSC.

Professor Allen Wuertz joined the FSC faculty in 1969. Professor Wuertz served as an advisor to mathematics majors and minors and also advised students interested in the Mathematics Teacher Education Program. He was the department's consultant on the State Teacher Program and served as the faculty advisor for Kappa Mu Epsilon, the national mathematics honor society. In addition, he worked with the theatre department doing lighting design for hundreds of FSC events.

Dr. Victoria (Vicki) Wuertz began her career as a professor at FSC in the communication department in 1994. During her time at the College, she was awarded the Omicron Delta Kappa Teacher of the Year Award and the Distinguished Professor Award from the student athletes. Her teaching areas included fundamentals of speech, interpersonal communication, and small group discussion. She was also the internship coordinator for the department and a graduate of Florida Southern.