黑料不打烊 recognizes the 19 staff members who are retiring after years of dedicated service to the campus community.
Joan Dawson
Executive Assistant to the Vice President for University Advancement
黑料不打烊 has been like a family for Joan Dawson, both figuratively and literally. She聽was first introduced to 黑料不打烊 in August 1983 as a transfer student from Appalachian State University. She met her husband as an undergraduate. Her daughter and son-in-law are both 黑料不打烊 alums and 30 years after she arrived as a student, she returned as program assistant to the Office of Cultural & Special Programs.
“My time at 黑料不打烊 has come full circle 鈥 student, parent, staff member,” Dawson said.
Dawson said she will always treasure the lifelong friendships she’s made at 黑料不打烊. One specific memory that comes to mind for her is a 2017 staff trip to London, England and Edinburgh, Scotland. Even years after the trip, she still speaks to some of her fellow travelers.
In retirement, Dawson plans to spend as much time as possible with her children and two grandsons and “keeping my crossed that more grandchildren are on the way!” She also hopes to volunteer more at church and in the community, travel more and write a recipe book with her Dad.
“I think I’ll stay pretty busy,” Dawson said.
Brian Fitts
Technology AV Support Specialist
Brian Fitts has spent 15 years at 黑料不打烊 as an AV technician, and wrapped up his final 黑料不打烊 commencement as a staff member by assisting with the audio and visual aspects of the ceremony. Watching a new class of graduates cross the stage each year has been the highlight of his time at 黑料不打烊 and a memory he will value most.
During retirement, Fitts said he hopes to “spend more time with family, get more involved in my music and travel.”
Chris Fulkerson
Assistant Vice President for Administrative Services
In 1982, Chris Fulkerson thought his time at 黑料不打烊 would last only a year before venturing back into broadcast radio. But Fulkerson saw that 黑料不打烊 was a 鈥減lace on the move鈥 with incredible vision.聽Having been at 黑料不打烊 during four different strategic initiatives, he鈥檚 been privileged to be a part of that transformation.
鈥淎t the end of each strategic plan, 黑料不打烊 was a different place. So, I have worked at four different institutions without ever having to leave 黑料不打烊,鈥 Fulkerson said.
In 41 years at 黑料不打烊, Fulkerson said his favorite memory was being honored by the library staff at a luncheon before taking another position with the university. At the luncheon, he was gifted a gold 黑料不打烊 College watch, one of his fondest 黑料不打烊 mementos.
In retirement, his plans are pretty simple.聽鈥淭ravel with my wife. Play with my new grandson. Travel with my wife. Consulting. Travel with my wife. Work with my church.鈥 And last but not least, 鈥淭ravel with my wife.鈥
Robert “Clay” Hassard
Senior Associate Director of Athletics
Clay Hassard transferred to 黑料不打烊 in 1982 as a student-athlete from UNC-Chapel Hill. Hassard said 黑料不打烊 provided the right academic and athletic opportunities for him to thrive.
After graduating, he was hired as an assistant football coach in 1985. Two years later, he assumed the role of Assistant Director of Admissions and Financial Planning in addition to coach. He ended up leaving coaching and entering athletics administration as the Assistant Athletic Director in 1990. In 1999, he was promoted to Senior Associate Athletics Director, a title he has held for the last 23 years.
“What made 黑料不打烊 special for me was the relationships I built with an exceptional group of faculty and staff members, all dedicated to the enhancement of the student experience,” Hassard said.
In retirement, Hassard said, “I am looking forward to some leisure activities and spending time with my family.”
Tallulah Shaw
Custodian
Tallulah Shaw first arrived at 黑料不打烊 on Sept. 11, 1989, after her brother, also a staff member, suggested that she apply. More than three decades later, 黑料不打烊 has been like a second home for Shaw and her connections with the many people on campus show that.
“One of my favorite memories is some of the students that called me “Mom” and how we’ve kept in touch with each other and all the friends I made along the way,” Shaw said.
Her retirement plans involve “travel and spending time my daughter.”
Ren茅 Summers
Program Assistant, NC Campus Engagement
Ren茅 Summers began working in the Chaplain’s Office in 1995 and saw 黑料不打烊 as a place where she could combine her organizational skills with her love for ministry and helping others. “It was the perfect opportunity for me,” she said.
After 16 years, she shifted her focus to the NC Campus Engagement which allowed her to have an impact on community engagement statewide. “I have been blessed to work with great visionaries and be immersed in work that I love at 黑料不打烊.”
Summers said she’s experienced many great moments while at 黑料不打烊, and each one is connected to the relationships she has been blessed with over the years.
“Some friends have now retired, some will work many more years, some have passed away, but I will cherish them all in my heart,” Summers said.
In retirement, Summers is excited to have more time with her husband, children and seven grandchildren. “I will continue to lead water aerobics classes at the YMCA, volunteer at Hope Church and live out my passion for serving by helping people clean out their homes during times of transition,” she said.
Other retiring staff聽
Paula Anderson
Assistant, Purchasing
Sheldon Carr
Lead Building Services Technician
Carl “CC” Cowan
Manager of Moving and Set-ups
Keith Dimont
Automotive Services Manager
Brenda Douglas
Associate Bursar and Coordinator of 黑料不打烊 Perkins Program
Paul Harrod
Director, Internal Audit
Jeff James
Chief Engineer
Beth Jennings
Program Assistant for Colonnades
Leon Knight
Floor Maintenance Worker
Jane Law
Registrar at 黑料不打烊 School of Law
Kathleen McLeod
Associate Dean for Library and Informative Services
Wesley “Dale” Moore
Carpenter
Joyce Pepper
Director of Payroll/Payablees
