English Professor John Rudy marks 35 years
January 26, 2006
KOKOMO, Ind.—Indiana University Kokomo saluted John Rudy’s 35 years teaching literature during the campus’ January 20 Spring Convocation. Rudy was among 34 IU Kokomo employees recognized for reaching five-year benchmarks in their IU careers.
A New York native who earned his doctorate at The Pennsylvania State University, Rudy came to IU Kokomo in 1971 as an assistant professor of English. He was appointed an associate professor in 1976, a full professor in 1988, and a member of IU’s Graduate School faculty in 1997. He served for a while as chairman of the Department of Humanities. Rudy wrote and successfully defended the proposal for a Bachelor of Arts in English degree program at IU Kokomo.
Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Stuart Green recalled how in the 1990s, when IU Kokomo made an institutional commitment to encourage faculty research, Rudy “went at this experience with his whole heart and being.” Applying his knowledge of U.S. and British authors from the 19th and 20th centuries—particularly Wordsworth, Browning, and Emerson—Rudy studied how these writers’ ideas parallel aspects of Zen Buddhism. Rudy has published numerous refereed articles and three books on the topic, and is researching a fourth book on meditative spirituality. He earned several IU faculty fellowship awards to support his research, and is nationally recognized as an authority in the field, Green noted.
Rita Martin was honored during the convocation for her cumulative 30 years of service at IU Kokomo. Martin worked as a faculty secretary from 1969–1974, then took a break from campus to devote herself full time to parenting. She returned to IU Kokomo in 1980, and spent the next 10 years as a lead secretary for three academic units. Martin moved to her current position of personnel/payroll specialist for the Office of Human Resources in May 1990.
An active member of the IU Kokomo Staff Council, Martin helped launch the council’s efforts to underwrite student scholarships. IU Kokomo named Martin its outstanding clerical staffer in 1996.
Other IU Kokomo employees receiving Years of Service Awards include the following:
5 Years—Physical and Support Staff: Anna Chaplin, Human Resources; Jerre Fercho, Human Resources; Fred Hakes, Continuing Studies; Stephen Holaday, Audio Visual; Christopher Rivers, Information Technology; Tina Stone, Registrar; David Whitley, Physical Plant; William Yost, Information Technology/Administration and Finance.
Faculty: Cheryl Calhoun, Psychology; Edward Stipp, Education.
10 Years—Physical and Support Staff: William Mills, Physical Plant.
Faculty: Christian Chauret, Biology; Susan Hendricks, Nursing.
15 Years—Physical and Support Staff: Sarah Hawkins, Student Development; Joan Hoch, Business.
Faculty: Kasem K. Kasem, Chemistry; Donna Mclean, Communication Arts; Mohammad Meybodi, Buisness.
20 Years—Physical and Support Staff: Mark Baker, Physical Plant; Linda Bielewicz, Academic Affairs; Holly Hamilton, Registrar; Sylvia Mason, Nursing; Charlotte Miller; Education.
Faculty: Loren Henry, Education; Nancy Henry, Mathematics; Nadene Keene, English; John Ross, Computer Information Technology; Julia Tinsley, Computer Information Systems; Bridget Whitmore, Nursing.
25 Years—Physical and Support Staff: Terri Butler, Business; Lucien Madding, Physical Plant; Jack Tharp, Student Services.
