UWW News & Events
UWW Celebrates Outstanding Faculty!
See UWW's Retirement Event in photos!
HADLEY, JUNE 13, 2009
Over 220 guests joined together in honoring the faculty of University Without Walls on June 13, 2009. UWW faculty are known to be the heart and soul of this ground breaking UMass Amherst program – where students design their own degrees, use college credit, their backgrounds and interests, and their life experiences to earn a UMass bachelors degree.
With the retirements of Gary Bernhard and Victoria Dowling, former and current students and their colleagues agreed the way to celebrate would be with a good old fashion barbeque.
Joining the festivities was one of UWW's long time advocates, Senator Stan Rosenberg who presented the retirees with a Senate Citation of Recognition for their years of service (Bernhard for 30 years, 18 as director, and Dowling for 26 years, with 5 as Associate Director). Rosenberg also presented both with a Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition, on behalf of Congressman Olver. State Representatives Stephen Kulik, Rosemary Sandlin and Ellen Story awarded each with a House of Representatives Citation of Congratulations. Additionally comments of congratulations from Junior Senator Kate Hogan were read by Representative Sandlin.
An endowed scholarship fund has been created to honor all UWW faculty. This was announced for the first time to the not only these two faculty, but to all UWW faculty.
"The inspiration is the students, the catalyst is the retirement of Gary and Victoria – two of the greatest and most committed educators at the University of Massachusetts." said Cindy Suopis, UWW faculty member and former director, who initiated the fund.
"We've all been enthusiastic about this fund – so many of our students deserve it, and the fact that it recognizes the dedication of the fine educators at UWW is a bonus." Suopis concluded.