Each year at the annual Silver Circle Recognition Dinner, Stetson University celebrates the dedicated service of staff and faculty. Twenty-five years of service at Stetson entitle Hatter employees to the honorary, official membership into the Silver Circle. Each member receives an engraved silver clock.

At this year’s celebration, held this year for the first time in June, after the May Commencement, Shelia Daniels, Associate Vice President of Human Resources, welcomed Robert Daniel, Facilities Management, and Associate Professor of Management Richard Heine, into the Silver Circle. Both honorees were presented their awards by President Wendy Libby.

Two individuals with 30 years of service were presented a crystal plaque: Sharon Fischer, in the Purchasing Department, and Associate Professor and Assistant Director of Media Services Terry Grieb.

Celebrating 40 years of service to Stetson, two individuals were presented a mantle clock: Susan Derryberry, Inter Library Loan Coordinator with the duPont-Ball Library, and Professor of History Paul Steeves.

Professor of Psychology Dwaine Cochran was presented a crystal bowl commemorating his 45 years of dedicated service to Stetson University.

Four individuals who are retiring this year from Stetson University were honored for their service and dedication to the university. Dr. Libby presented the following retirees with a crystal cube:

Kathy Burley, Annual Giving Officer in the Office of Development, who has worked at Stetson for 20+ years, said she looks forward to remaining an active member of the Hatter Nation.

After serving Stetson for 20 years, Senior Professor of Accounting and former Dean of the School of Business Administration Paul Dascher said “the overwhelming thing which characterizes Stetson is what Silver Circle celebrates. The people are what make Stetson special.”

Despite his retirement, Senior Professor of Economics Neal Long continues his work with the Microcredit program in the Spring Hill neighborhood of DeLand. He remains involved with the local chapter of the NAACP and the Democratic Party. According to Long, he’s proud of the significant role he has played in helping Stetson become a greater part of the local community.

Ike Sewell, Bulk Mail Specialist in the university’s Post Office, said he has fond memories of funny questions that his customers would ask when standing at the post office window. Serving as an assistant pastor at his church, he said he also looks forward to traveling across the country, especially to Colorado and Washington State.

The following individuals were celebrated in absentia:

25 Years of Service – Bobby Adams, Aaron Batchelder, Linda Grooms, Shih-Jung Lu, Kevin Riggs, Charlie Ross, Nancy Vosburg

30 Years of Service – Michael Branton, Michael Finch

35 Years of Service – Patricia Hills

40 Years of Service – James Franklin (2011)

Retirees – Linda Bell, Ed Bermudez, Christine Biernacki, Bruce Bradford, Catherine Fitch, Dan Hale, Anne Hallum, Betty Johnson, Robert Leahy, Thomas Lick, Michael Mekdeci, Joanne Pfister, Geneva Robinson, Susan Stinson and Richard Wood.