63 retirees look forward to future

Some familiar faces in the CMU community will bid farewell after taking advantage of the early retirement incentive program.

Sixty-three employees decided to take early retirement, with Facilities Management and Health Services taking the brunt of cuts.

Although the bumping process is complete, Rich Morrison, public relations and marketing senior officer, said the university has no definite dollar amount the process has saved the university.

“There are so many variables; we don’t have the final numbers for next year’s budget yet. George Ross (Finance and Administrative Services vice president) is still working different models, and until the final budget is put together, it may not be possible to get exact figures,” Morrison said.

One employee who took the retirement incentive is Bob DeBruin, academic administration assistant vice president, who has been an employee at CMU for nearly 32 years. He began as an assistant professor in the math department, teaching statistics.

Later, he became the first statistical consultant for faculty and staff. He entered the administrative arena as assistant vice provost for planning, then moved on to assistant vice president, then to his current position as vic e provost for academic administration.

“I taught full time for seven years in the math department, and then moved into administrative roles,” DeBruin said. “I really enjoyed the classroom, working as a statistical consultant — working with faculty working on doctorates and graduate students working on projects.”

Being directly involved in the construction of the Music Building, the Charles V. Park Library and the Health Professions Building were some of DeBruin’s highlights.

“I’ve worked with a lot of good people at the university, and that’s really the highlight,” he said.

DeBruin has helped the provost with budget and personnel issues for the last 10 years, however, “There are a lot of other good people here to fill the gap,” he said.

Retirement plans include travel, volunteer work and genealogy. DeBruin has family in Grand Rapids, Kentucky and California, and said he’s looking forward to spending time with grandchildren.

“CMU has been a good place, and I’ve enjoyed it. I’m gonna miss the people, but we’ll be staying in Mount Pleasant, so we’ll still be able to see those people,” he said.

Another person retiring is Earl Morrow, director of facilities operations for Facilities Management, who has been involved at CMU for 18 years.

Getting the woodchip boiler online and recovering from 1986 flood were two of the highlights during Morrow’s tenure.

Morrow and Mel Remus, Facilities Management plant engineering and planning director, both are retiring, and both will take years of experience with them.

“They’ll be bringing in new blood,” Morrow said. “I’ve enjoyed working here, and have enjoyed working with the people. You don’t work someplace 18 years and leave and not miss it.”

Morrow said he plans to enjoy retirement, spend time with his granddaughters, do volunteer work and travel.

“We’ve already moved to Grand Rapids, so I’ll be relocating there,” he said.

Morrison said he believes the bumping process was very successful.

“I don’t know of anyone who was not able to be accommodated in some fashion. That is so incredibly complicated because of the way contractual agreements read,” he said.

University President Michael Rao will speak with all who retired individually, thanking them for their years of service.

Morrison said credit is due to the employees in the human resources department.

“The packages and programs they’ve put together for everyone are really remarkable,” he said.

The Board of Trustees will finalize CMU’s budget at its July 10 meeting.

The complete early retirement incentive list

  • David Alsager, University Recreation coordinator of open recreation programs
  • Donna Anderson, President’s Office executive secretary
  • Diane Backus, University Health Services nurses aid
  • Sharon Balogh, University Health Services nursing supervisor
  • Wayne Barrett, Facilities Management custodian
  • Joan Bateman, Athletics secretary
  • Connie Behm, Public Broadcasting donor club coordinator
  • Linda Bettisworth, Development and Alumni Relations prospect research coordinator
  • Charlene Blizzard, Dining Services food service worker
  • Jean Blubaugh, Printing Services senior specialist clerk
  • Carol Brannan, Libraries monographs coordinator
  • Chuck Carlson, Extended Learning coordinator/academic adviser
  • Sharren Cook, Central Mailroom specialist
  • Robert DeBruin, Academic Administration assistant vice president
  • Fred DuBois, Facilities Management custodian
  • William Fitzgerald, Facilities Management custodian
  • Laraine Forquer, Printing Services bindery and mailing operator
  • Judy Geroux, Special Olympics director of business operations
  • Laura Gonzales, Education and Human Services assistant to the dean
  • Duane Goupell, Center for Learning Assessment director of operations
  • Patricia Grace, Facilities Management custodian
  • Mary Jo Hoffman, Registrar’s Office specialist clerk
  • Sandra Hovey, Facilities Managment custodian
  • Thomas Hunt, Public Broadcasting director of public radio
  • Kathleen Hutchins, CMU Police parking bureau specialist
  • Patricia Jenerou, Facilities Management custodian
  • Carole Kahkonen, Dining Services head cook
  • Barb Kowallic, Bovee University Center executive secretary
  • Mary Lou Kriesche, Scholarships and Financial Aid senior specialist clerk
  • Lois Kromer, International Education assistant director of international admissions
  • Shirley Lilly, Dining Services senior salad maker
  • Teresa Lorenz, Facilities Management custodian
  • Etta MacDonagh-Dumler, Human Resources director of compensation and benefits
  • Elaine MacDonald, Facilities Management custodian
  • Ethel (Mae) Martinez, Dining Services head cook
  • William E. Miller, Facilities Management supervisor of architect trades
  • Bernyce Moran, Libraries circulation specialist
  • Earl Morrow, Facilities Management director of facilities operations
  • Charles Norisez, Physics electronics technician
  • Alvin Norman, University Stores warehouse worker
  • Duane Peacock, Facilities Management journeyman electrician
  • Irene V. Pina, Dining Services sack lunch program coordinator
  • Sally Pomerantz, Payable Accounting specialist clerk
  • Marge Preston, Career Services career resource center coordinator
  • Charlene Priest, Facilities Management custodian
  • William Pung, Facilities Management journeyman building maintenance worker
  • Mel Remus, Facilities Management director of plant engineering and planning
  • Bonnie Richards, Dining Services food service worker
  • Maureen Rondy, Academic Advising academic adviser
  • Robert Rulong, Public Broadcasting director of external relations
  • Eileen Schaar, Physician Assistant Programs executive secretary
  • Julie Shaw, CMU Police parking bureau specialist
  • Sharon Shaw, CMU Police office manager
  • Timothy Snellenberger, Information Technology computer operations associate director
  • Cristy Sprague, Facilities Management journeyman building maintenance worker
  • Christian Streitmatter, Chemistry electronics technician
  • Judith Travis, Facilities Management custodian
  • Theresa Turner, Health Services chief medical technician
  • John Tyler, Facilities Management trades helper/maintenance mechanic
  • Gerald Watson, Information Technology audio visual technician
  • Sharon Wentworth, Dining Services sack lunch program coordinator
  • Bea Windgaston, Residence Life administrative services coordinator
  • Sharon Wohlscheid, Registrar’s Office senior specialist clerk

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