Briar Cliff unveils display honoring faculty emeriti

Arnold

Briar Cliff University unveiled a permanent display honoring its faculty emeriti on November 18 during a ceremony on campus.

Fourteen of Briar Cliff’s 26 faculty members with emeriti status were in attendance to witness the unveiling, which took place in the Roth Atrium inside Heelan Hall — the original building on campus and the school’s main academic building. The new display features photos and plaques of each faculty emeriti, and lines the hallway entrance leading into Roth Atrium.

“To say your commitment made an impact doesn’t adequately convey the magnitude of the difference you made in the lives of our students, graduates and the Briar Cliff community,” said Dr. Todd Knealing, interim vice president of academic affairs, in his address to the honorees. “Our university is a better place, because of you.”

Briar Cliff’s faculty emeriti have a combined 864 years of service to the University.

“It is my distinct pleasure to recognize and honor you for your contributions to quality, excellence and the success of our students,” said Dr. Hamid Shirvani, president of Briar Cliff, moments before unveiling the new display.

The appointment of emeriti status at Briar Cliff is an honor, and given in recognition of valued teaching, advising, service and scholarship to the University. To obtain this status, a professor must be nominated by his or her department, the vice president for academic affairs and the president; then approved by the board of trustees. The candidate must also have attainment of tenure, a rank of associate professor or higher, and a faculty appointment for at least 10 years prior to retirement.

Dubuque Franciscan faculty emeriti who were honored include: Sr. Mary Arnold Staudt, professor emerita of music; Sr. Michaela Galles, professor emerita of theology; Sr. Edith Gottsacker, professor emerita of history; Sr. Patricia Miller, professor emerita of nursing; Sr. Grace Ann Witte, professor emerita of sociology and criminal justice; the late Sr. Ruth Agnes Ahlers, professor emerita of theology; and the late Sr. Michelle Nemmers.

Caption: Dr. Hamid Shirvani, president of Briar Cliff, with Sister Mary Arnold Staudt, OSF.