Memorable students and a commitment to teaching have given more than 60 retirees of the 2010-2011 school year fond recollections of their careers.

Roann Kopel, a former accounting professor of 19 years, said she came to Eastern because teaching was more appealing than research.

“I enjoyed the student-professor relationship and helping students,” Kopel said. “I like seeing students graduate and going onto their careers.”

Kopel helped institute Beta Alpha Phi, an honorary accounting organization on campus, which began its own chapter on Feb. 22, 1997.

“We had a student accounting society and we had to have an accredited business school,” Kopel said.

Kopel said once the school of business became accredited, the organization began to attract the interest of the students.

Kopel also took advantage of the study abroad experience while a professor at Eastern.

“I taught finance analysis in Belgium and presented research,” Kopel said. “It was common to be late for class in Belgium and not common to give them homework.”

Kopel’s last day with Eastern was on Aug. 31, 2010 and she plans to travel after her retirement.

“I think I had a really good career,” Kopel said. “It was hard to leave the students.”

Chuck Eberly, a former employee for counseling and student development for 24 years, said he came to Eastern to use his doctorate in higher education for teaching.

“There was an opportunity to teach the graduate program in college student affairs,” Eberly said. “Teaching testing and measurement in counseling are both major interests of mine.”

Throughout his career at Eastern, Eberly participated in the growth of Eastern’s graduate school.

“I participated in the growth of the master’s program in college student affairs from a local program to one with a national reputation,” Eberly said.

The counseling program continued to become one of Eastern’s first-choice graduate programs, Eberly said.

Eberly has had memorable moments throughout his career and has enjoyed seeing his students beginning their careers.

“Several of our graduates become presidents of professional associations, vice presidents of student affairs, and even one a college president,” Eberly said.

Eberly’s last day at the university was May 31, 2011, but has future retirement plans.

“I plan to work part time for a year to guide the completion of my current thesis advisees to their degrees,” Eberly said. “Beyond that, I plan to continue research on the college fraternity, and volunteer service to my fraternity, Sigma Phi Epsilon.”

Barbara Walker, a former professor of the health studies for 24 years, has wanted to become a teacher since childhood.

“I made my poor younger brother and sister be my students,” Walker said. “I think that people are born teachers or not. I can’t ever remember not wanting to.”

Walker came to Eastern because of the Health Studies department’s reputation as one of the best in the nation, she said.

There was an opportunity to teach classes on human sexuality and near-death experiences, Walker said.

“How blessed was I to teach such interesting things to such interesting students,” Walker said.

One of Walker’s best experiences while at Eastern involved a former student.

“(My student) called me at my house to tell me that I was the best teacher they ever had and that I had made a profound difference in her life,” Walker said.

Friends and colleagues have also been an inspiration to Walker’s career.

During her retirement, Walker said she plans to spend more time with her children.

Walker’s last day is July 31, 2011.

Jennifer Brown can be reached at 581-7942 or jebrown2@eiu.edu.