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IU Kokomo honors Symonds for 30 years of teaching math
January 27, 2005 | |||||
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KOKOMO, Ind.On January 21, IU Kokomo honored Associate Professor of Mathematics Robin G. Symonds, Ph.D., for his 30 years as a full-time faculty member. Symonds was among 33 university employees recognized during the campus' spring convocation for having achieved 5-year career milestones. Symonds came to IU Kokomo in August 1975 after completing his doctorate in mathematics at Ohio University. The campus' first full-time mathematics faculty member, Symonds was promoted to associate professor in 1980. He chaired the Department of Mathematics and Information Sciences from 19851995, "As the only full-time faculty member in mathematics until fall 1982, I had the opportunity to offer upper-level undergraduate mathematics courses to interested students who were both capable and willing to work," Symonds said. "Because of the low number of students involved, I taught many of these courses as overloads [to his regular teaching assignments]." The main reward of his long teaching career, he added, is knowing that, because those upper-level courses were available at IU Kokomo, many of his students now have careers in teaching mathematics and other areas involving mathematics. Symonds authored three degree proposals for academic programs offered on the Kokomo campus. Those degrees include the B.A. in Mathematics and the B.S. in Data Processing and Information Systems (now called the B.S. in Information Systems) offered through IU Kokomo, as well as the A.S. in Computer Technology offered through the Purdue University School of Technology Kokomo. Symonds also assisted in writing IU Kokomo proposals for its bachelor degree programs in nursing and English, and its Master of Business Administration. President of the IU Kokomo Faculty Senate from 198485, Symonds also served one term as Senate vice president and several times as its parliamentarian. He has helped guide IU Kokomo's periodic self-assessments, as a member of the North Central Association Accreditation Self-Study Committee in 1978, and on strategic planning committees in the 1980s and again in 1994. Symonds won the first Claude Rich Award for Outstanding Teaching and Dedication to High Academic Standards, presented in 1982. He was treasurer of the Indiana Council of Teachers of Mathematics from 19842000. He also served on the Indiana Council of Teachers of Mathematics Executive Board from 19812000 and the Indiana State High School Mathematics Contest Committee from 19822001. University employees honored at the January 21 convocation have accumulated 485 years of service at the institution. Others recognized included 5 Years: Jim Andrews, Physical Plant; Sandy Cavazos, Physical Plant; Dawn Davis, Physical Plant; John Delaney, Scholarships and Financial Aid; Lisa Schunk, Student Computer Services; Christina Tanner, Special Facilities. 10 Years: Christal Atkins, University Division; Vivian Chase, Physical Plant; Robert Gardner, Physical Plant; Chad Gillem, Physical Plant; Tara Halbrook, Physical Plant; Jackie Kennedy-Fletcher, Scholarships and Financial Aid, Susan Wilson; Learning Enhancement Center. 15 Years: Kathy Fields, Informational Technology; David Hawkins, Physical Plant; Gail Hipp, Bookstore; Lester Payne, Physical Plant; Greg Shirley, Physical Plant; Cheryl Small, Physical Plant. Faculty: Debra Fawcett, Nursing; Barbara Sehr, Mathematics; Colin Black, Communication Arts; Thomas von der Embse, Business. 20 Years: Mary Corey, Admissions; Margaret Lane, Bookstore; Janine Stanley, Library. Faculty: Earl Wysong, Sociology. 25 Years: Marvagene Cummings, Bursar; Diana Goodnight, Student Services; Marcia Sandy, Bookstore. Faculty: Rick Aniskiewicz, Social and Behavioral Sciences; Kathy Morrical, Nursing.
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