The College of Education and Health Professions recently celebrated eight faculty members who retired this academic year.

At the April 29 reception, Dean Kate Mamiseishvili noted that their combined time in the college totals more than 208 years of service.

"They've made incredible scholarly contributions, supported and mentored numerous students and colleagues and changed lives," she said.

Mamiseishvili, whose leadership has been inspired by sports leaders this academic year, shared a quote from former NFL player and head coach Tony Dungy for the occasion: "The greatest coaches are not just game changers; they are life changers."

"We are here today to celebrate our colleagues' life-changing achievements and share our gratitude for their service and work," she said.

Michelle Gray, head of the Department of Health, Human Performance and Recreation, introduced the three faculty members retiring from her department.

Craig Edmonston, an assistant professor of practice in the Department of Health, Human Performance and Recreation, first joined the college's faculty 47 years ago. After 32 years as an administrator for the campus recreation program and seven years as the assistant dean for administration in the college, he transitioned to an instructor's role in 2017.

During his time at the U of A, Edmonston was pivotal in coordinating practicum and internship opportunities for students in the Recreation and Sports Management program. He is the namesake of the Craig A. Edmonston Outstanding Student Leader Award, presented to the most outstanding University Recreation student employee each year.

"He has this way of correcting people that is kind," Gray said. "He is always there for his students."

Gray said Edmonston has always pushed the profession forward and has been a trusted mentor to many. "I certainly look up to him as a leader in this college and at this institution," she added.

Cathy Lirgg joined the Department of Health, Human Performance and Recreation in 1991. She began her U of A career as an assistant professor, worked through the ranks and will retire as a professor of K-12 physical education.

Lirgg has contributed to over 30 journal articles and 12 book chapters and manuals. She was also honored with fellow status from the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance for her work in the field.

Gray said Lirgg has sat on 53 doctoral student committees, which "speaks to her mentorship and leadership." Lirgg also shepherded many students through their Ph.D. programs, including Gray herself and several others in the college, like Amanda Sullivan and Paul Calleja.

"She helps her students and encourages them to reach for greatness," Gray said.

Merry Moiseichik was hired by the Department of Health, Human Performance and Recreation in 1989. She has earned multiple honors and awards over the years and did not slow down as a researcher as she closed in on retirement, Gray said. "She was a prolific scientist, even in the last year," Gray said.

"Dr. Merry" — as students affectionately call her — taught an impressive 28 different sections of classes in the parks and recreation track. Gray said her office is always filled with students who have questions or want to discuss science. "I've never seen her turn a student away," Gray remarked. Among unique student experiences, Moiseichik and two other faculty members in the college brought 17 sports leaders from Senegal to the U of A for a student-led project integrating physical and mental health education. That same year, the faculty-student team traveled abroad to see firsthand how Senegalese sport leaders were using their methods.

Moiseichik has helped develop or improve over 40 city recreation and parks departments in Arkansas and Oklahoma, including cities like Little Rock and Tulsa. She is also a fellow with the American Academy of Recreation and Parks. She edited the book Management of Park and Recreation Agencies, which became a bestseller after the National Recreation and Parks Association created it to help park and recreation agencies meet national accreditation standards.

The retirement celebration also honored two retiring faculty members from the Eleanor Mann School of Nursing, Allison Scott and Kathy Throop. Marilou Shreve, the school's interim executive director, introduced each at the event.

Shreve said she and Scott, an associate professor of pediatric nursing in the nursing school, have been colleagues for decades.

"We were nurse practitioners together, and I followed her here," Shreve said. "She was the trailblazer." Scott joined the college's faculty in 2006 and was the first Doctor of Nursing Practice to be tenured at the U of A.

Scott's research interests include nutrition and infant feeding with an emphasis on lactation. She serves as the co-director of the Office of Women and Children's Health.

As a nurse practitioner and international board-certified lactation consultant, Scott's research in health promotion and infant feeding earned her a Provost's Collaborative Research Grant. The grant helped Scott continue her interdisciplinary research in improving birth outcomes in Arkansas.

Shreve noted that Scott is a passionate advocate for breastfeeding and established the Tiny Tusks program at the U of A. The community outreach program offers a clean, private space for parents and families to use while enjoying home sports games. Nursing students share education about breastfeeding and infant support.

While at the U of A, Scott also served as an adviser of the Student Nurses Association and led travel abroad experiences.

Throop, an adjunct clinical instructor, was a medical-surgical nurse for 35 years before she joined the college in 2016. Shreve said teaching in the nursing school is Throop's second career, and she fully embraced the opportunity. "She has poured her heart out for students," Shreve said.

She enjoys teaching courses on older adult nursing, informatics for the professional nurse and pathophysiology in nursing.

As a new faculty member, Throop was awarded a faculty commendation for teaching commitment from the Teaching and Faculty Support Center. She is also a part of the Eleanor Mann School of Nursing's across-the-lifespan, person-centered care scholarship team.

Three retirees, Anna Jarrett, Kit Kacirek and Bettie Miller, could not attend the reception, but guests were invited to write messages to them in remembrance books.

Jarrett, an associate professor in the Eleanor Mann School of Nursing, joined the faculty in 2012. An Advanced Practice Nurse, she enjoys teaching students how to improve outcomes in trauma and critically ill patients.

Jarrett has received an Eleanor Mann School of Nursing Research Award and holds a patent for her research and design of Easter's Rib Score and Protocol. The scoring system is used to evaluate rib fractures in emergency departments, critical care units and outpatient settings. During her time at the U of A, Jarrett also oversaw a $1 million grant project from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to increase the number of advanced practice registered nurses.

Kacirek, an associate professor of adult and lifelong learning in the Department of Counseling, Leadership and Research Methods, joined the faculty in 1998. During her tenure, Kacirek fully developed and taught 13 new courses in the adult and lifelong learning program. She also chaired over 50 dissertations and has served as the advisory chair for every doctoral student in the program since 2012.

Kacirek has received multiple grants and published nearly 30 peer-reviewed journal articles covering a wide array of topics related to her research. She has also participated in international leadership development workshops in Tunisia and conducted an international needs assessment in Morocco.

Miller, a clinical instructor in the Eleanor Mann School of Nursing, started her nursing career in 1976 in acute care and long-term care facilities. She worked in various nursing staff and leadership positions in Northwest Arkansas for more than 20 years, working primarily in settings that served older adults.

Miller became an instructor at the nursing school in 1997 and returned in 2004. She developed several courses for the online Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree program. Over the years, Miller continued to pursue nursing and healthcare degrees to enhance her knowledge.

Mamiseishvili wrapped up the reception with a few extra words about the college's eight esteemed faculty members, which began with a quote by legendary basketball player and coach John Wooden: "The most powerful leadership tool we all have is our own example."

She told the retirees, "You have all led by example and served as our role models of how we can all lead our careers with passion, wisdom and dedication."

Mamiseishvili commended their dedication to students and noted that their impact will continue to multiply through new generations. She also wished them joy, laughter and happiness in the next phase of their lives and reminded them that they would always remain part of the college family.