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Saying goodbye
May 18, 2007
At last Thursday’s farewell reception, the campus community gathered to honor 40 PLU faculty and staff members who are leaving PLU, either to retire or for new opportunities.
Among those retiring is music professor Richard Farner, who will enter into phased retirement this fall after 31 years at PLU. Farner came to PLU from the University of Michigan in 1976 to teach piano and music theory and was eventually named chair of the piano studies program.
“It’s been wonderful. It’s as good as it gets,” Farner said. “I think who you work with is more important that what you do. I was incredibly fortunate to work with the people I do.”
Farner’s future plans are up in the air, but include traveling with his wife, music professor Kathleen Farner, who is on sabbatical next year. Farner said he’s never had trouble finding things to do.
Other employees who are leaving the university for new opportunities include Eric and Heather Melver. The couple, along with their daughter Anika, will move to Hong Kong this summer.
While at PLU, Eric worked in the alumni office and Heather served as the resident director of Hong, Hinderlie and Kreidler Halls. In Hong Kong, the two will be working at the International Christian School, where Eric will teach drama and theater to middle school students and Heather will work as a counselor.
“We have been very blessed by the community,” Eric said. “We’ll miss most the wonderful environment and safe place for our family to live.”
Sheri Tonn, vice president for finance and operations, said a few words at the beginning of the reception, recognizing those who had served the university the longest. With 40 years of service to PLU under his belt, sociology professor Dick Jobst was acknowledged for working at PLU the longest.
View more photos from the reception here.
“It’s been wonderful. It’s as good as it gets,” Farner said. “I think who you work with is more important that what you do. I was incredibly fortunate to work with the people I do.”
Farner’s future plans are up in the air, but include traveling with his wife, music professor Kathleen Farner, who is on sabbatical next year. Farner said he’s never had trouble finding things to do.
Other employees who are leaving the university for new opportunities include Eric and Heather Melver. The couple, along with their daughter Anika, will move to Hong Kong this summer.
While at PLU, Eric worked in the alumni office and Heather served as the resident director of Hong, Hinderlie and Kreidler Halls. In Hong Kong, the two will be working at the International Christian School, where Eric will teach drama and theater to middle school students and Heather will work as a counselor.
“We have been very blessed by the community,” Eric said. “We’ll miss most the wonderful environment and safe place for our family to live.”
Sheri Tonn, vice president for finance and operations, said a few words at the beginning of the reception, recognizing those who had served the university the longest. With 40 years of service to PLU under his belt, sociology professor Dick Jobst was acknowledged for working at PLU the longest.
View more photos from the reception here.