Fulbright College Faculty Members Honored at 2019 Retirement Reception

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Clockwise from top left: Jerry Rose, Michael Heffernan, Elizabeth Markham, Rembrandt Wolpert, Pat Martin, Dale Carpenter.

After more than 198 years of combined service, seven faculty members in the J. William Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences recently retired following the successful completion of their final academic year.

The group of retirees was honored at the 2019 Fulbright College Faculty Retirement Reception, and their combined career experiences span a lifetime of achievement in the arts, humanities, social sciences and natural sciences.

"We are so grateful for the service of these amazing, inspiring faculty members!" said Todd Shields, dean of Fulbright College. "It is our honor to recognize these colleagues for their decades of dedication to Fulbright College. Their devotion is a huge debt we could never repay. They have been positive influences on thousands of lives, and we are all the better for it."

This year, Fulbright College celebrated:

Jerry Rose, Department of Anthropology 
He joined the university in 1976 and has taught courses ranging from physical to cultural to medical anthropology, to human and forensic osteology, to dental science and more. He served as pre-dental advisor and won numerous teaching, mentorship and advising awards. He published 43 articles and translations, 10 monographs and books, and over 50 book chapters. He has completed 41 forensic cases himself and been part of over 130 more. His colleagues consider him a friend and mentor, who "both literally and figuratively built biological anthropology" at the U of A.

Thomas Frentz, Department of Communication 
He joined the university in 1985 and has taught courses in rhetorical theory, criticism, ethnographic methods, science fiction film and communication and contemporary society. He has won numerous teaching awards, published three books, several book chapters, and numerous articles. He is widely recognized by the National Communication Association for his seminal contributions to rhetoric and cultural studies and is one of the pre-eminent scholars in rhetorical studies. Colleagues say he "has critically examined the power of myth and narrative in our lives."

Michael Heffernan, Department of English 
He joined the university in 1985 and quickly developed a reputation as an incredible teacher. He has published 12 books, numerous poems, and won multiple NEA fellowships and numerous prestigious national writing awards, such as the Iowa Poetry Prize, the Porter Prize, the Kingsley-Tufts Poetry Prize and more. He also founded the Program in Creative Writing and Translation's study abroad program in Ireland, and colleagues say he is "a raconteur beyond compare - especially when talking about his travels."

Elizabeth Markham, Department of History 
She joined the university in 2000 to teach courses in historical ethnomusicology focusing on music culture in Asia alongside Rembrandt Wolpert. The pair are described as the "quintessential academics," spending summers researching in the library at Cambridge, but never too stuffy to enjoy a glass of wine and good company. She has been described by colleagues as, "the kindest and most good-hearted person," and will retire with Wolpert in Europe.

Rembrandt Wolpert, Department of History 
He joined the university in 2000, to teach courses in historical ethnomusicology focusing on music culture in Asia, alongside Elizabeth Markham. Together, they have taught at the University of Cambridge, Queen's University in Belfast, and the University of Amsterdam. They have conducted archival research in China, Japan, England, Scotland, Ireland, France, Switzerland, Austria, Slovakia and Germany. They have both received multiple outstanding mentor awards and master researcher awards. 

Dale Carpenter, School of Journalism and Strategic Media 
He joined the university in 1994 after being a photo journalist and editor at KATV Channel 7 News, then senior producer for AETN where he worked on documentaries and original films. His film work has won numerous national awards from the Broadcast Education Association Festival of Media Arts, the New York Festivals, a Golden "CINDY" award, the "IRIS" award, and seven regional "Emmy" awards. He's known by colleagues as a great singer and an even better friend. He is currently planning RV travels around the country.

Pat Martin, Department of Theatre 
She joined the university in 1995 and has taught everything from costume design and stage technology to design studio, as well as serving as the head of costume design and technology. She is the author of two books and dozens of articles and juried presentations and has had a positive influence on thousands of students' and colleagues' lives. Her colleagues describe her as "incredibly talented," and someone who knows how to get her students to perform at their highest level. She plans to move to Florida to be closer to family.

"Congratulations again to all the honorees and thank you for your tireless service to the greatest and most noble pursuit of all - education," Shields said. "We hope you enjoy retirement to the fullest!"