Professors, deans retire

By Joy May

H.L. Baker BS ’61 retired after 40 years of service to AU. He initiated the university’s financial aid program, coordinating loans and scholarships, and helping students find part-time jobs. He served as dean of men, assistant dean, associate dean, dean of student services and most recently dean of students.

During his retirement, Baker hopes to start a tee-ball league for young children in the Anderson, Ind., area, and spend more time with his family — wife Sandy (Moore) Baker BS ’62, children Becky Baker BA ’87 and Brent Baker BA ’85, and three grandchildren. “I didn’t dream I’d be here one year, let alone 40 years,” Baker says. “I’ll miss being associated with a good place and the people I work with, but I’ll carry those friendships with me.”

Shirley King Coolidge BS ‘60, assistant professor of music, retired. She began her career at AU 37 years ago as college organist and organ instructor. During her tenure, she taught music theory and aural comprehension classes, keyboarding, organ, piano, music literature and, at one time, harpsichord.

A member of the American Guild of Organists, Coolidge is an accomplished professional organist. She served as staff organist and accompanist at Park Place Church of God, Anderson, Ind., for 40 years. Each spring she presents a Chancel Organ Concert at Park Place.

Last year, the Anderson YWCA named her a 2000 Woman of Achievement and presented her with the Lillian E. Denny Award for excellence in the fine arts. Her retirement plans include touring and performing organ concerts as opportunities arise. “Through my years at the university, I’ve traveled and performed with various groups, from Tri-S trips to choral tours,” Coolidge says. “I’ve enjoyed every chance I’ve had to spend time with my students in many settings.” She and husband David Coolidge BS ’57 now plan to do some traveling on their own.

Dr. Jerry Grubbs MRE ’70, former dean of the chapel, retired after 28 years. He began teaching in the School of Theology in 1973. In 1978, he also assumed the role of director for the Center for Pastoral Studies. He was dean of the SOT from 1982 to 1988 and then moved to another administrative role as vice president for Student Life and Intercollegiate Athletics. In 1997, he was named campus minister.

While he jokes that he never “could hold a job here for more than five years,” Grubbs’ versatility made him vital to the life of the university. In addition, he has held various professional memberships, including service with the Commission on Higher Education, Church of God Board of Christian Education, Adult Education Association of the United States, Society for Advancement of Continuing Education for Ministry and chairman of the board for Heart to Honduras.

Grubbs plans to spend a great deal of his retirement with his seven grandchildren. He will return to school this summer to learn grant-writing procedures for not-for-profit organizations. Additionally, he and his wife, Jan, have a “burden for churches in transition,” and they hope to travel around Indiana and fulfill interim pastorates where needed.

Dr. Duane Hoak retired as chair of the School of Education and director of teacher education after 32 years at AU. Hoak came to AU in 1969 as an associate professor of education. During three decades, he has filled 11 positions, including vice president for administrative services and dean of the faculty.

“I get a great deal of joy out of teaching,” Hoak says. “Even when I was in administration, I taught at least one course each semester to stay in touch with the students and to stay in touch with the teaching function. I’ll miss coming here every day and interacting with my colleagues.”

Hoak has served as a member and officer on several community boards, including the Anderson Area Chamber of Commerce, Anderson/Madison County Visitors and Convention Bureau, the Anderson Symphony Orchestra and the Family Network Agency. He serves on the Advisory Board for the Salvation Army (Anderson) and the United Way of Madison County. He and his wife, Joyce, have been active in Park Place Church of God, teaching Sunday school and serving on the Board of Trustees and Church Council.

Retirement will be no less busy for Hoak, who plans to travel and speak as the Indiana District Governor of Kiwanis International. He will maintain his roles with United Way, Salvation Army and the Center for Mental Health, but save plenty of time to spend with his five grandchildren.

Dr. Darlene Miller BS ‘62 retired as dean of the College of the Arts. She served more than 40 years at AU, including time in her first position as a student worker in the library. She began her long career at the university as developer and director of the Instructional Materials Center (IMC). She was appointed chair of the Education Department in 1980 and named dean of the School of Social and Professional Services in 1983. When the college received university status in 1995, Miller was among the first to restructure the schools within the institution and was appointed to her most recent position.

She was awarded the Wanda Savage award in April by the university’s Town and Gown group for her efforts to bridge the Anderson community and AU. In May she was named a Sagamore of the Wabash, the highest honor the governor of Indiana can bestow upon a private citizen.

Her retirement plans include visiting family in Florida and traveling. She will continue to teach a class in the university’s ADVANCE program and hopes to work with young children through volunteer literacy programs.

Dr. Charles Waldo retired from the Falls School of Business faculty as a marketing professor after nine years. He taught undergraduate and graduate level classes. He was advisor to the university’s marketing club and served as lead for the marketing advisory board and school’s special events team. He is a member of the Greenleaf Center for Servant Leadership.

Prior to teaching at AU, Waldo was as an associate professor of marketing at Butler and Illinois Wesleyan universities.

Waldo resides in Indianapolis, where 75 percent of AU’s MBA students live. He will continue to teach in the MBA program part-time and promote the program’s growth. He also hopes to work with nonprofit companies as part of their development and gifting staff to aid organizations in their research. “I think I’m going to try my hand at major-gift getting for some not-for-profit organizations like Cystic Fibrosis,” Waldo says. This particular organization has never benefited from a major campaign in the Indianapolis area, and Waldo anticipates the challenges that brings. “If I could help to put that kind of an effort together, that would be a worthwhile way to spend a few years.”