Nine faculty retirees from the Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences, whose service to the college totals more than 300 years, were recently recognized at a college-wide celebration for their service to Fulbright College, the U of A and their academic communities.

"We want to honor and thank our retiring faculty members, whose efforts strengthened the college's foundation and contributed to a culture of intellectual curiosity, creativity and public engagement," said Brian E. Raines, dean of Fulbright College. "Their work as teachers, scholars, artists, scientists, mentors and colleagues has shaped generations of students, faculty, and staff."

"These faculty leave Fulbright College stronger, and we are better for having had the privilege to work alongside them," Raines added.

Fulbright College is proud to call the following retirees forever members of the Fulbright College community and wishes them the best in their new chapters.

Thank you and congratulations to our 2025 faculty retirees:

Steven Boss, professor in the Department of Geosciences

Boss is an environmental dynamics and sustainability professor who joined the faculty in 1996. A fellow of the Geological Society of America, he has over 25 years of research experience in paleoclimatology, limnology and reservoir sedimentation and has made significant contributions to understanding lake sediment records of regional climate histories. As a leader in geoscience education and diversity initiatives, he has secured over $7 million in NSF funding, including the GeoCAP initiative to expand participation of underrepresented students. In addition to his research, he has developed innovative coursework in sustainability, Earth system history and oceanography, earning recognition for his interdisciplinary approach. Through his leadership, mentorship and advocacy, Boss has shaped the future of environmental science and promoted diversity in STEM fields.

Adnan Haydar, Distinguished Professor in the Department of World Languages, Literatures and Cultures

Haydar is a Distinguished Professor of Arabic and comparative literature who joined the faculty in 1993 and served as the founding director of the King Fahd Center for Middle East Studies. In 2011, he received the prestigious Lois Roth Award from the Modern Language Association for his exceptional translation of the renowned Lebanese poet Adonis' Mihyar of Damascus: His Songs. His scholarly contributions extend to Lebanese Zajal poetry, having published critical works on its metrics, structure and cultural significance, including his newest book, New Worlds to Old Tunes: Genres and Metrics of Lebanese Zajal Poetry. Haydar has made significant contributions to Arabic language pedagogy, having co-authored textbooks and developed innovative teaching methodologies, with awards from the U of A and the University of Pennsylvania. His expertise spans Arabic poetry and literature, translation studies and comparative literature, making him a pivotal figure in promoting cross-cultural understanding between the Arab world and the United States.

Ralph Henry, Distinguished Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences

Henry joined the faculty in 1996, concurrently serving as vice president of biopharmaceutics at InterveXion Therapeutics, LLC since 2004. With over three decades of research experience, Henry has made significant contributions to understanding protein targeting in chloroplasts and securing continuous Department of Energy funding while developing innovative treatments for methamphetamine abuse. His research has generated five U.S. patents and over 50 peer-reviewed publications, demonstrating his commitment to translating scientific discoveries into public health solutions. As a recipient of the WM Keck Endowed Professorship and inaugural member of the National Academy of Inventors, Henry has established himself as a leader in both biochemistry and biotechnology innovation.

Lori Holyfield, professor in the Department of Sociology and Criminology

Holyfield is a professor of sociology who joined the faculty in 1995. Her research focuses on the sociology of emotions, symbolic interaction, adventure leisure and collective memory. She has authored multiple books and journal articles, including "Veterans' Journeys Home: Life After Afghanistan and Iraq," and has served as president of the International Society for the Study of Symbolic Interaction. A dedicated educator, Holyfield has received numerous teaching and service awards, including the John and Lois Imhoff Award for Teaching and Mentoring Excellence and Fulbright College's Outstanding Service, Outstanding Advisor and Outstanding Teacher Awards. Through her strong scholarship, service to the discipline and mentorship of numerous student theses, she has contributed much to sociological research and student success.

Richard Lee, associate professor in the Department of Philosophy

Lee is an associate professor of philosophy with expertise in ethics, aesthetics and philosophy of art. He joined the faculty in 1982, and his research explores the nature of artistic engagement, moral reasoning and conceptual analysis, with recent work on the philosophy of "arting" and non-literal meaning in artistic expression. A dedicated educator, he has taught a wide range of courses, including philosophy of art, ethics and contemporary moral theory, while mentoring numerous graduate and undergraduate students. He has presented his research at national conferences, including the American Society for Aesthetics, and remains actively engaged in philosophical inquiry and academic mentorship. His contributions to teaching and scholarship reflect a deep commitment to exploring how art, ethics and philosophy shape human understanding and experience.

Daniel Levine, university professor in the Department of World Languages, Literatures and Cultures

Levine is a University Professor of classical studies who teaches courses in Ancient Greek, Latin and classical literature and culture. He joined the faculty in 1980. Levine has dedicated over four decades to classical scholarship, receiving numerous teaching awards, including the Honors College Distinguished Faculty Award and recognition as "Faculty Who Made a Difference." His research focuses on various aspects of Ancient Greek literature and culture, with publications exploring emotions in Attic comedy, the significance of feet in Greek literature and, more recently, reinterpreting classical texts through a COVID-19 lens. Beyond his extensive teaching responsibilities, Levine has served as director of the summer session at the American School of Classical Studies at Athens and maintains active involvement in numerous professional organizations, including the Society for Classical Studies and the Classical Association of the Middle West and South.

Robert Mortenson, instructor in the Department of Sociology and Criminology

Mortenson is a sociology instructor with over two decades of teaching experience in higher education, who specializes in teaching courses ranging from General Sociology to Social Psychology. His research focuses on teaching strategies for improving student engagement, sociology of music and homelessness studies using both quantitative analysis and ethnographic methods. Mortenson is dedicated to improving student engagement and retention through innovative pedagogical approaches, incorporating music into his teaching, and connecting students with community resources and guest speakers. His commitment to excellence in teaching has been recognized with awards, including the "My Favorite Professor" Award from Delta Delta Delta Sorority and a Faculty Commendation for Teaching Development.

Frank Scheide, professor in the Department of Communication

Scheide is a distinguished film scholar whose expertise spans film history, criticism and documentary filmmaking, with additional focus on Native American history, culture and politics. He joined the faculty in 1977. He has made significant contributions to Chaplin studies as co-editor of Chaplin: The Dictator and the Tramp and Chaplin's Limelight and the Music Hall Tradition, while also authoring the textbook Introductory Film Criticism: A Historical Perspective. His scholarly research, published in respected journals including Free Speech Yearbook, Journal of Communication Studies and The Velvet Light Trap Review of the Cinema, is complemented by his catalog of Chaplin film out-takes published online by the British Film Institute. Beyond his academic writings, Scheide has demonstrated excellence in documentary filmmaking as project director for the award-winning PBS documentary The Keetoowahs Come Home, and he has shared his expertise through courses in film lecture, American film survey and international film.

Ron Warren, associate professor in the Department of Communication

Warren is an associate professor of communication with a 36-year career in the field of mediated communication who joined the college in 1997. Warren has provided leadership and instruction both in academic settings and through public service. His excellence has been recognized with multiple honors, including the John King Award for Outstanding Service, the Nolan Award for Outstanding Contribution to Graduate Education and selection as a Teaching Academy Fellow. Warren has played a vital role in shaping the curriculum and developing policies that support student research through his leadership roles as department chair, vice chair, undergraduate and graduate director, honors program coordinator and Lambda Pi Eta faculty adviser. Known as a respected colleague and professor, Warren has been instrumental in increasing graduation rates throughout his career.

This story also appeared in the Fulbright REVIEW publication.