Houston,
30
April
2020
|
08:10 AM
America/Chicago

Retiring UST Professors Leave Lasting Legacy

At the end of spring 2020 academic semester, seven long-time faculty members –Sheila Waggoner*, Ravi Srinivas, Robin Williamson, Robert LeBlanc ‘69, Sister Marie Faubert, Fr. Donald Nesti, CSSp, and Charles Krohn ‘58 – will retire. Collectively, they have given 169 years of service, with Professor Krohn serving the longest at 54 years.

“It is with immense gratitude that I honor this group of faculty for their service and achievements,” Dr. Chris Evans, Vice President for Academic Affairs, said. “Their dedication to their students and colleagues is commendable; they are beloved members of the University of St. Thomas community. Their contribution will be missed. I wish them the best in their well-deserved retirement.”

These esteemed professors will receive a gift of their choice – rocking chair, chair or lamp, engraved with the UST seal, their title and years of service.

A party will be thrown this fall to celebrate them in person, when UST returns to campus following the coronavirus pandemic.

School of Arts and Sciences

Prof. Charles Krohn '58Professor Charles Krohn, 54 years, consummate actor and professor of English

“Professor Krohn is formally retiring at the end of the spring semester after 54 years of distinguished teaching and service at the University of St. Thomas,” said Clinton Brand, associate professor and chair of the English department. “But Charles is by no means stepping down, nor should this letter of nomination be considered a valediction. In his 90th year, Prof. Krohn is still going strong and plans to continue teaching – he is scheduled for two classes this fall. All of us in the Department of English look forward to sharing his good company and benefiting from his wisdom for years to come as he remains a living pillar, a monument, and a treasure of UST.”

 

Dr. Ravi Srinivas, 26 years, associate professor of Environmental Sciences, former AVP of Academic Affairs, dean of Extended Programs, director of the MLA Program

Dr. Ravi Srinivas“Dr. Srinivas served the University of St. Thomas with distinction in a variety of roles,” Dr. Dominic Aquila, professor of History and former Vice President for Academic Affairs said. During my years with him, beginning in 2007, he impressed me with his sharp mind and his ability to get to the heart of discussions with probing and insightful questions. He added value to any meeting or project, and was always at the ready to take on new roles and responsibilities, especially at critical moments in UST’s day-to-day operations. I remain deeply grateful for his friendship.”

 

 

 

Dr. Sheila Waggoner, 23 years, professor of Mathematics

“Dr. Waggoner has brought rigor and compassion to Mathematics at UST for more than 20 years,”  said John Starner, Interim Dean of Arts & Sciences. “In her role as teacher, Department chair and director of the Cooperative Engineering Program, she worked tirelessly to see that UST students in her care learned mathematics well and developed as citizens of the world.”

*We are sorry to share the sad news that Dr. Waggoner passed away on Saturday, May 2, 2020. No services are planned at this time.

 

Dr. Robin Williamson, 37 years, long-time chair and professor of Communication

Dr. Robin Williamson“Robin Williamson was my professor and mentor,” Dr. Livia Bornigia ‘90, chair of communication, said. “Later, she became my colleague and friend. She has devoted her life to UST and to her students with passion and generosity, believing in social justice and in the power of education. I believe that she personifies our mission and I will miss her dearly."

 

 

 

School of Education and Human Services

Sister Marie Faubert, 26 years, professor of Education

Sr. Marie Faubert“For almost 3 decades, Sister Faubert has made a difference in the lives of those students she has taught in her classes at UST,” Dean of the School of Education and Human Services Paul Paese said. “Sister Faubert is also a scholar and has mentored a number of faculty over the years. How many times over the past 3-4 years have I said, ‘Sister was right!’”

 

 

 

 

Dr. Robert LeBlanc, 18 years, professor and three-time former dean of the School of Education

“On behalf of the School of Education and Human Services faculty and staff, I want to thank Dr. LeBlanc for his leadership as dean and for all that he has done for education in both university and public schools,” Pease said.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Center for Faith & Culture

DFr. Donald E. Nesti, CSSp, 26 years, professor and founder/director of the Center for Faith & Culture

 

Fr. Donald E. Nesti, CSSp

“In Fr. Nesti, we recognize the fruits of attentive listening and encountering, of faithful accompaniment and focused dialogue, and of insightful discernment and effective implementation,” said Fr. Binh Quach, CSSp, director of the Donald E. Nesti Center for Faith & Culture. “The Donald S. Nesti, CSSp. Center for Faith & Culture bears his vision and passion for dedicated and faithful service to the Church and the people of Houston. His magnanimity and humility attract us to embrace the mission of bringing the Catholic voice to the dialogue with the American Culture and of helping the students and those who enter into partnership with the Center to be faith-filled citizens, that is, to become the embodiment of Christian values such as, love, humble service, justice, other-centered and God-centered. In short, Fr. Nesti has tirelessly striven to invite and engage people of all backgrounds, cultures, and religious paths to gather around the table for dialoguing over the critical issues concerning life, culture, and faith,” Fr. Binh said.