With the end of the academic year only weeks away, several members of the Eastern community are planning to retire from the place they have devoted so much of their time. To honor those who are leaving the university at semester’s end, the Faculty Senate and Eastern’s chapter of the University Professionals of Illinois will hold a reception Tuesday in the Tarble Arts Center from 2:30 to 4 p.m. The Daily Eastern News had the opportunity to speak to some of those honorees.

Chuck Eberly, from the department of Counseling and Student Development, came to the university in the fall of 1987 to work in College Student Affairs.

During his time at the university, one of Eberly’s primary focuses has been working with the members of Greek life on campus. As a member of Sigma Phi Epsilon in college, Eberly helped found Eastern’s chapter of the fraternity “in my very living room” in 1990. He continues to be faculty adviser for the fraternity.

Last semester, Eberly was selected as the Luis Clay Mendez Distinguished Service Award recipient for his contributions in the area of service to the community, the university and his discipline.

After retirement, Eberly will continue to work at the university part-time to help finish his students’ thesis studies and looks forward to spending more time pursuing music and bicycling. From the university, Eberly said he will miss his students and the department he works in. Before their staff meetings, members of the department often share a meal together.

“This department is a family,” Eberly said.

Richard Crome, from the foreign language department, comes from a long line of educators. Because of that, he came to Eastern in 1986 to share his love of the Spanish language. Crome, who has relatives who live in Mexico, thinks Spanish is an important language to share.

During his time with the foreign language department, Crome has helped to initiate several internships for students, including sending students to Mexico to work with businesses and learn language skills.

At this moment, Crome is unsure of plans after retirement.

“I would like to sit back and see what comes to fruition in the next several months,” he said. He continued to say that he is looking at several options, including living in Mexico or working in South America. In his spare time, Crome enjoys traveling and maintaining contact with the people he has met during his career.

“It’s always a challenge to be a better teacher – to inspire the students to meet their needs and to be able to get your point across,” Crome said.

However, this is what he said he will miss most about working at the university.

David Arseneau, from the School of Business, has taught at the university for over 28 years. During his time at Eastern, his courses have covered entrepreneurship and small business management. Arseneau has also owned and operated a small business for 20 years. Arsenau said this experience enriched his teaching in the classroom.

In his spare time, Arsenau enjoys playing tennis, reading books with topics ranging from business to motivation. Although he is unsure of his retirement plans, one thing is for certain – he plans to spend a lot of time with his family. However, he said he will always appreciate the opportunities Eastern gave him.

“I will always appreciate Eastern for how it helped me achieve many of my dreams,” he said. “I don’t know of many employers help their employees achieve their dreams – but Eastern does.”

Joyce Bishop is retiring from the mathematics and computer science department this summer after 15 years at Eastern. During her time at Eastern, she has worked with preservice elementary and middle school teachers. Before coming to Eastern, Bishop taught fifth through eighth grades.

“I’ve enjoyed my time at Eastern, especially the last few years,” Bishop said. “Some of the most rewarding aspects have been advising the student group Math Energy and other contacts with students, the camaraderie and ongoing learning with my mathematics education colleagues, and also teaching from a textbook of which I am co-author.”

After retirement, Bishop and her husband will relocate to be nearer to their children and grandchildren. She also said she hopes she will be able to continue to contribute in some way to public education and is also looking forward to traveling.

Gwen Little, from the kinesiology and sports studies department, taught public school for 12 years before coming to Eastern in 1987. However, she lived in Charleston long before that. Little moved to the city in 1965 and received both her graduate and undergraduate degrees from Eastern. In her spare time, Little enjoys traveling and even had the opportunity to go to Singapore with her son. For her retirement, Little plans to continue traveling and spending time with her friends and family.

“I’ve always traveled, even when I was working – I haven’t put anything on hold,” she said. “However, I am going to miss the students.”

Other retirees being honored at the reception include: Pat Fewell (secondary education), Sam Guccione (technology), Carolyn Woolever (School of Family and Consumer Science), Jocelynn Phillips (Gateway), C. Jody Johnson (secondary education foundations), Glenda Duke (student teaching), Mary Anne Hanner (college of sciences), Beverly Findley (educational leadership), Cheryl Hawker (mathematics and computer science), John Martone (English) and Joyce Bishop (mathematics and computer science).

Shelley Holmgren can be reached at 581-2812 or meholmgren@eiu.edu.