Wilmington College recognized 23 members of its faculty and staff for service milestones, ranging from five to 50 years, during its annual Opening Year Meeting on Aug. 11. Chip Murdock, senior director of diversity and campus activities, presented the honorees to their colleagues, along with sharing some almanac highlights from the years when they arrived at the College.
The six, five-year employees came in 2020 when a White Castle Slider cost $1.24 and a Taco Bell burrito (sans onions) set one back $1.29. They included Zach Sizemore, systems technician II in IT, Trent Czartoski, manager of the Academic Farm; Je’Tasia Johns, resident director of Austin-Pickett and previously an assistant in the Dean of Students Office; Saska Boggs, assistant professor of psychology; Stephanie McConnell—Hill, equestrian team head coach and Equine Center manager; and Ana Lopez, licensed professional counselor. Also, in 2020, a gallon of gasoline was $2.17, milk cost $3.50 and a basic model Ford Mustang retailed for $27,000.
In 2015, six new employees joined the College community at a time when a Slider cost 80 cents and a burrito was $1.19. They were Steve Cukovecki, assistant professor of sport management, who previously served as an admission counselor and director of alumni and family relations; Audrey Wagstaff, professor of social sciences and communication arts; Chad McKay, associate professor of agriculture; Micah Mills, head men’s basketball coach, who originally joined the College as an assistant coach; Brik Anderson, assistant groundskeeper with Physical Plant; and Tanya Maus, director of the Peace Resource and Quaker Heritage centers. Also, that year, Sam Smith’s “Stand with Me” was the top song and Spotlight won the Best Picture Oscar.
In 2010, coming to WC were Mary Beth Corcoran, IT Help Desk manager; Victoria DeSensi, professor of psychology; Adam Lohrey, vice president for enrollment management and marketing, who originally was an admission representative for agriculture; and Nick Kinder, head women’s soccer coach, who previously served as an assistant coach for the men’s team and later the women’s team. Then, a Slider cost 70 cents and a burrito went for 99 cents. Also, The King’s Speech won the Best Picture Oscar and a gallon of gas was $2.28.
Twenty years ago, in 2005, when a Slider and a burrito cost 65 and 89 cents, respectively, Russell Kincaid, professor of mathematics and physics, and Charles Dick, associate professor of accounting, joined the faculty. Gas was $2.30 a gallon and Crash won the Best Picture Oscar.
In 2000, when a Slider cost 55 cents and a burrito 79 cents, coming to the College were Michael Snarr, professor of political science; Vince Duggins, director of Physical Plant, who started as a staff member; and Chip Murdock, senior director for diversity and campus activities, who started as an admission counselor. That year, gas was $1.51, “Smooth” by Santana featuring Rob Thomas won the Grammy for Best Record and Gladiator took home the Best Picture Oscar with its star, Russell Crowe, winning the Best Actor Academy Award.
Vince Duggins, director of Physical Plant, joined the Physical Plant staff in December 1990, so he was recognized for 35 years of faithful service to the College.
Randy Sarvis, associate vice president for communication and public relations, arrived at WC in 1995, when the Slider and burrito were 45 and 59 cents, respectively, a gallon of gas went for $1.15, Braveheart won the Best Picture Oscar and Bruce Springsteen’s “Streets of Philadelphia” earned the Grammy Award for Best Song.
Some 50 years — a half-century ago — Bud Lewis joined the College’s athletic staff as head men’s soccer coach, a position he held for 43 years before retiring after the 2017 season. He has since continued working part-time with international student recruitment and alumni outreach as an international enrollment executive. Back then, a White Castle Slider set one back 12 cents and a burrito from Taco Bell was a quarter. Also, gas was 57 cents and a basic Ford Mustang cost $3,900. Barbra Streisand’s “The Way We Were” topped the music charts and One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest won the Best Picture Oscar with one of that film’s stars, Louise Fletcher, winning the Academy Award for Best Actress. As of Monday, Lewis’ affiliation with Wilmington College has been 18,254 days — and counting!
President Corey Cockerill thanked the service milestone recipients for their years of service and dedication to the College and presented them with gift cards as a token of the institution’s appreciation.
PICTURED: President Corey Cockerill congratulates Bud Lewis for his 50-year affiliation with the College.