After more than 236 years of combined service, six faculty members at the J. William Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences are retiring following the successful completion of their final academic year.

"These faculty members are extremely inspiring, and we are so grateful for each of them. They are remarkable individuals and they all mean so much to everyone at Fulbright College," said Todd Shields, dean of Fulbright College. "Congratulations to these amazing folks, and we thank them for their tireless service to the greatest and most noble pursuit of all — education."

To commemorate this bittersweet milestone, Fulbright College recently hosted a Faculty Retirement Reception celebrating the honorees:

• Johnnie Gentry, Department of Biological Sciences
  Fun Fact: He joined the university in 1979, and has served as both director of the University Museum and curator of the herbarium. He's led and contributed to large-scale botanical flora projects, written a definitive book on vascular plants of Arkansas and overseen numerous outreach programs across the state.
• Bernard Madison, Department of Mathematical Sciences
  Fun Fact: He joined the university in 1979, and has served as both associate dean and dean of Fulbright College. And as if that wasn't enough, he is the principle investigator or co-P.I. of more than $13 million in external funding and author of over 100 articles, reports and policy papers.
• Dave Schroeder, Department of Psychological Science
  Fun Fact: He joined the university in 1976, and has served as chair for 17 of those years. Additionally, he is also the author or co-author of five books and over 50 articles, and is one of the most recognized scholars working in the area of pro-social behavior. 
• Joel Freund, Department of Psychological Science
  Fun Fact: He joined the university in 1970, and has served as the department's primary advisor helping well over 10,000 students find their paths. He's also served on faculty senate for many years and always makes strong stands for the betterment of our faculty, staff and students. 
• Patsy Watkins, Walter J. Lemke Department of Journalism
  Fun Fact: She joined the university in 1983, and served as chair for 18 of those years. She's completing a book about Farm Security Administration photographs taken in Arkansas during the Depression, and has been a trusted friend and senior adviser to her colleagues.
• John Dixon, Department of Geosciences
  Fun Fact: He joined the university in 1981, and served as chair for five of those years. His research interests lie primarily in the area of Critical Zone processes and landscape evolution, and because of this he's been a world traveler both professionally and personally.

"We wish them all the best in the next chapter of their lives, and hope they all enjoy retirement to the fullest," Shields said.