College of Education and Health Professions Celebrates the Legacy of 10 Retiring Faculty Members

This year's College of Education and Health Professions' accomplished retirees have collectively contributed 217 years to their various departments, but Dean Kate Mamiseishvili noted that their unquantifiable contributions — like friendship, kindness and care — are what make them so remarkable.

Mamiseishvili said when thinking of these 10 retirees, she recalled the famous quote from Antoine de Saint- Exupéry's book The Little Prince: "It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye."

"Obviously we have seen their many visible accomplishments in the number of years they've served, the students they've taught, the patients they've cared for or dollar amounts they have secured. The numbers that go on the CVs that you can easily count," she told the crowd assembled at the college's recent retirement reception. "But there have been many accomplishments that go far beyond the numbers, sometimes invisible to the eye, and can only be felt in our hearts. This is perhaps the most important legacy of our 10 amazing retirees."

At the April 27 event, Michael Hevel, associate dean for research, strategy, and outreach, introduced Mandel Samuels, a longtime teaching assistant professor in the Human Resource Development program. The two were hired the same year, 2012, and instantly connected, working together in the Department of Counseling, Leadership, and Research Methods for many years. Hevel noted that Samuels had a long and accomplished career before coming to the college, including at the U of A Global Campus and various companies in the corporate world. Samuels taught 28 unique classes in the HRD program, and Hevel said he was known as "a rigorous and responsive faculty member." Hevel said he believes Samuels is the only Emmy Award winner in the college, which Samuels won for a documentary about Silas Hunt, who made history when he became the first African American student to attend a major public university in the South.

As part of a short speech after Hevel's introduction, Samuels said, "It has been a true privilege to work alongside such dedicated faculty, staff and administrators, individuals who care deeply about students, about each other and about the mission of the institution. I will always value a sense of shared purpose that has defined this department and college."

University Professor John Pijanowski, who teaches in the Educational Leadership program, introduced Ed Bengtson, a former head of the Department of Curriculum and Instruction who most recently served as associate dean in the U of A Graduate School and International Education. Pijanowski called Bengtson a change agent at the college and university levels. "He is someone who has left his fingerprints so deeply embedded in the work we do that he's still mentioned every time we get together," Pijanowski said, noting that of the many Bengtson references, his rule about bringing value always rises to the top. "If he was asked, 'Will you do this?' he would say, 'If you think I'll bring value, then I'll do it,'" Pijanowski shared with the audience, adding, "The value that he always has brought, and continues to bring, is his intellectual curiosity, and his kindness, and the way he cares for everyone so genuinely that it just emanates off of him in every room that he walks into. So many people's lives are better because he worked here. There are many people he touched who then were able to influence the lives of other people."

In his remarks, Bengtson said when he told Pijanowski and others on the search committee that he wanted to accept the job, he didn't realize how fortunate he would be to be at the U of A. "At the core of that good fortune are the people who I've had the opportunity to work for, many of you sitting in this room today. People who mentored me, people I worked alongside, people who allowed me to mentor them. It was an incredible experience. A very rich experience, and one that I will always cherish," he said. "For the last 10 years, I've walked with giants, and I have been privileged to share space with you." Bengtson brought down the house when he praised his wife, Janice, for being in it with him through a zig-zagging career that has now ended in higher education. "Without Janice, I would not be here. Thank you, Janice. I love you so much," he said.

Suzanne Kucharczyk, who followed Bengtson as the head of the Department of Curriculum and Instruction, introduced the other four faculty members retiring from that department.

Mike Daugherty, Distinguished Professor of STEM education, held the department head role in the past. "You ushered many CIED colleagues into bright and impactful careers at the University of Arkansas during your time as department head of our Curriculum and Instruction," Kucharczyk said of Daughterty. "Your own career trajectory serves as a valuable model for us." Daugherty taught technology education at the secondary level in Oklahoma, then moved into academia at Oklahoma State and Illinois State before being hired at the U of A in 2006. "During that time, you've held critical leadership roles, impacted countless students in STEM education and shaped your field nationally and in Arkansas through your research and service. Your work has embodied our land grant mission," Kucharczyk said.

Daugherty spent 45 total years in education, 21 at the U of A, when he came to Arkansas for the first time to be a consultant. "It was beautiful here," he said, "and the people have been amazing. I have had fantastic colleagues and was able to teach some of the best students I've ever met. My colleagues are also my friends, so I enjoyed coming to work every day." Daugherty said they were all quick to share each other's disappointments and "do happy dances" when they were successful, such as getting research published.

Derrick Mears joined the Department of Curriculum and Instruction in 2014, quickly establishing himself as a leader in the department and various programs as coordinator of the Educational Specialist program, graduate coordinator, assistant department head and Educational Technology Program coordinator. "These roles do not always get the attention they deserve because they form the structures within which our students work and succeed through the building of programs, advising and behind-the-scenes support," Kucharczyk noted. She said in addition to this leadership, Mears continued to support and lead the department and the educational technology program's response to an ever-evolving landscape of technology, online learning and trends. "As this landscape continues to morph, thanks to his grounding, we are better prepared to continue to provide value to our students," Kucharczyk said. "Derrick's impact on the legacy of these programs and students is longstanding and his retirement well deserved."

In his remarks, Mears focused on his family's lifetime affiliation with the U of A. He lived in the Northwest Arkansas area, and his entire family spent many hours back and forth to enjoy games. His dad had dreamed of playing basketball at the university, but he ended up at another Arkansas institution. Mears taught for 13 years in Kansas City public schools, and one day his principal told him he should be teaching college students. "I took that as a signal I should try to become a Razorback," he said. He applied to the kinesiology Ph.D. program and not only got into the program, but the dean also asked if he would be a full-time lecturer while he was taking classes. "I became the first person in my family to officially become a Razorback," he said.

Janet Penner-Williams joined the Department of Curriculum and Instruction in 2005, serving as a leader through the years, including time as an assistant department head and assistant dean for the college from 2009-2017. In addition to these leadership roles, she also served as principal investigator on many federal and state level grants totaling about $10 million. "What is countless is the number of students she has impacted by the work she has done and the preparation that she has provided their teachers across the state," Kucharczyk said.

Penner-Williams shared with the audience that she had retired from public school teaching and administration in another state before coming to the U of A. She said it has been a joy working with colleagues and teachers, writing grants and participating in the many other opportunities she has had along the way. "I'm always learning something. I have learned from every one of you that I worked with something valuable that I took away and tried to incorporate into my life," she remarked. "And I thank you all for your sharing and the gifts that you gave me of your knowledge and friendship."

Kucharczyk said Cathy Wissehr, who was hired in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction in 2009, "has maintained a critical thread of inquiry in her preparation of teachers — how to embed informal science and environmental education through innovative, situated and experiential learning." Wissehr created opportunities for this type of learning not only in the classrooms of Peabody Hall on the U of A campus, but in school-based greenscapes, the Illinois River Water District and summer institutes for local and international teachers. "Her work has benefited educators in our childhood education, educational studies and STEM programs," Kucharczyk said. "While her impact on students is critical and her environmental science education is to be lauded, her impact on her colleagues must be celebrated because it too leaves an impact we will miss."

Wissehr recalled with fondness her more than 17 years of teaching in five different programs within her department. "I want to thank everyone for their support, guidance and encouragement," she said, noting that in retirement she plans to spend more time with her 11 grandchildren who look forward to "Nana's science camps," teach on occasion in an online adjunct role, ride her horses and keep her hands in the dirt by cultivating native plants for landscapers and advising friends on growing things like lima beans.

Executive Director of the Eleanor Mann School of Nursing (EMSON) Carrie McDermott introduced B.J. Garrett, who started her career as an emergency medical technician (EMT), then decided to go to nursing school. Garrett was a nurse for 25 years, including many years spent as a hospice nurse. She then decided to pivot and began working as a nurse educator. Garrett was at EMSON for eight years before retiring in December 2025. McDermott, who has only worked with Garrett for one semester, asked colleagues for anecdotes about Garrett. "Overwhelmingly, people shared that she was such a kind, inclusive and generous person. Many said how much she helped them get started when they were new," McDermott said. "In fact, when I was new she was the first person who befriended me." The students also said great things about Garrett, she said, mostly in appreciating of her passion for nursing and her care for students. McDermott noted that Garrett is an avid advocate for self care, breaks, yoga and other well-being activities. "It's easy to see why everybody is so fond of her. Just today, they asked me to try to talk her into coming back," McDermott said.

Garrett taught multiple courses in her eight years at EMSON. One of her favorites was therapeutic communications, required for all new students entering the nursing profession. The course focuses on conscious methods of establishing and maintaining a rapport between the patient and nurse through verbal and nonverbal cues. "It has been such a luxury to teach students and to guide these young men and women," she said. "I can't believe the good fortune I had to bring my students into this realm of professionalism." Garrett and her wife were drawn to the U of A because they were looking for a college community that was rich in the arts and nature. "We never looked back," she said.

Three retirees, Kathleen Collins, John Murry and Kelly Vowell Johnson, could not attend the reception, but guests were invited to write messages to them in remembrance books that were provided for all 10 retirees.

Professor Emeritus of Curriculum and Instruction Kathleen Collins is one of the top cited researchers at the U of A, with over 15,000 citations at the time of her retirement in December 2025 after 23 years. She was known for her research on mixed methods and served on the Mixed Methods International Research Association in several roles, including chair, president and consultant to the executive board. Collins was named an Outstanding Reviewer of the American Educational Research Association's Educational Researcher journal in 2009 and was awarded the Department of Curriculum and Instruction's Outstanding Research Award three times. Collins led the college's special education program's Arkansas state-funded Resource Teacher Academy for many years.

Kelly Vowell Johnson served as an associate professor of nursing at the Eleanor Mann School of Nursing, where she held multiple leadership roles, including associate director of nursing, undergraduate coordinator, clinical coordinator and founding director of the online R.N.-to-B.S.N. program. She also co-founded the Tiny Tusk Breastfeeding and Infant Support program in the college. In addition to being a nurse educator, Vowell Johnson was an academic leader and researcher with extensive experience in curriculum development. Her academic and clinical expertise spans women's health, neonatal intensive care, medical-surgical nursing and community health. Vowell Johnson was recognized with the national DAISY Nurse Educator Award for her leadership and contributions to nursing education.

John Murry joined the college in 1994, subsequently serving as interim head of the Department of Counseling, Leadership and Research Methods and associate dean. He later served as the Higher Education program's coordinator for many years. Prior to obtaining his doctorate in higher education from the U of A, Murry had earned a master's in business administration and a law degree from the U of A. For more than 10 years, his professional career encompassed the legal, tax and business management fields. He was on the faculty at Mesa State College in Grand Junction, Colorado, and Henderson State College in Arkadelphia before joining the college. Murry conducted numerous professional workshops and presentations nationally and internationally and was a regular contributor to scholarly journals on educational legal issues and the processes of leading change in colleges and universities. He also consulted with school districts and education departments around the U.S. on issues of education law, providing training to faculty and administrators on legal issues they faced in their role as educators. In addition to teaching graduate level courses in higher education, Murry researched management and legal issues in higher education institutions.

Dean Mamiseishvili concluded the reception with a few parting thoughts after listening to the various stories about the college's retirees, all of whom worked in their various fields before joining academia. "It's so common for our faculty to come to us after careers out there in the real world as educators, educational leaders, nurses and business and industry leaders," she said. "I do believe our students get the best of both worlds. And that's what makes our preparation and our research, training, teaching and service so impactful. All of our faculty are passionate about education and healthcare and instill that same passion in our students and our community partners."

Mamiseishvili expressed a wish to keep the retirees in the college for many more years, but said she understands they are ready to embark on the next adventure. She was reminded of a quote from the comic strip Calvin and Hobbes: "If good things lasted forever, would we appreciate how precious they are?"

She wrapped up the event up by speaking directly to the retirees: "We loved having you in the college, but it is even more precious now that it has come to an end. I know everyone in this room enjoyed and loved having you as colleagues. You have an open invitation to be part of every future milestone of our college. I hope you don't go far and you stay in touch. Congratulations on this well-deserved retirement."