Veteran faculty Loren and Nancy Henry, Kathy Morrical retire
June 1, 2006
KOKOMO, Ind.—Three veteran faculty members have retired from Indiana University Kokomo, effective May 31. They are Associate Professor of Education Loren Henry, Ph.D.; Senior Lecturer in Mathematics Nancy G. Henry, M.A.T.; and Assistant Professor of Nursing Kathy Morrical, Ed.D.
Husband and wife, the Henrys taught in Indiana, New York, and Alabama before coming to IU Kokomo in 1986. As the sole faculty member focused on mathematics education, Loren Henry developed programs for teaching math at the elementary level and in grades 5–12. Chair of the Division of Education from 2001–2005, he recently contributed to a grant proposal for an early childhood education center based on campus. Lilly Endowment Inc. approved $1.5 million for the center.
Charlotte Miller, advisor to the Education Curriculum Lab, said students consistently report, “that the instruction and skills learned during Dr. Henry’s mathematics methods course have been important to their success.” Professor of Science Education Julie Saam, Ph.D., chairs a committee that Loren Henry started to increase communication between the Division of Education and the School of Arts and Sciences. “Through Loren’s vision and the committee’s hard work, members have aligned our courses with Indiana Teacher Education Standards, improving curriculum, programs, and advising,” Saam said.
Nancy Henry taught required undergraduate courses in algebra, trigonometry, finite mathematics, calculus, and statistics. Not a “by rote” teacher, Nancy said she stressed understanding and applications of mathematics. “Students never say I’m an easy teacher, but they say I’m fair.”
Senior Lecturer in Mathematics Marie Kunkle said math department faculty can thank Nancy Henry for introducing the TI-83 calculator as an integral part of the curriculum. “She trained us on the use of it and was always available to help.”
Faculty advisor to the Student Government Association since 1991, Nancy devoted “countless hours” to student meetings, retreats, and events, said Sarah Hawkins, director of Student Development and Campus Life. “Nancy provided history and continuity to the organization. She was organized, dependable, and always demonstrated ethical decision making for our students.”
Students in a medical/surgical, or “med/surg,” clinical course gave Kathy Morrical a shirt imprinted with “She teaches at the cellular level.” The phrase referred to Morrical’s teaching emphasis on how symptoms of injury and illness can reveal underlying problems in a patient’s internal systems. “Students have to be able to interpret these things,” Morrical said. She also focused on a nurse’s responsibility to help patients make healthy lifestyle choices that support health. “Nurses are in the best position to help patients make that mindset change.”
“Kathy strives for students to understand more than memorize,” said nursing faculty colleague Linda Wallace, Ed.D. “She would spend hours reviewing tests with students so they understand better why their answer was right or wrong. I told her she can’t leave IU Kokomo until she downloads her brain into mine.”
“Dr. Morrical has been a linchpin in the adult nursing component of the curriculum,” said Dean of the School of Nursing Penny Cass, Ph.D. “She will be missed.”
Logansport Memorial Hospital Chief Executive Nurse Jeannette Huntoon said the hospital has greatly benefited from Morrical’s work as a staff nurse and more recently with numerous clinical courses set there. “Kathy is so professional, so open, so evidently engaged with growing nurses to meet the hospital’s and the community’s needs,” Huntoon said. “With her commitment to providing excellent care, she has been a great mentor to students.”
Since 1990, Morrical has been an American Lung Association volunteer instructor on tuberculosis, offering annual training on the infectious disease that is required for hospital nurses. She’s also worked in several public flu shot clinics, guiding junior and senior nursing students in administering up to 2,600 injections in a day.
Loren and Nancy Henry
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Kathy Morrical
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