Fond Farewells

UNC Asheville Recognizes Retiring Faculty and Staff 2022

By UNC Asheville

May 10^th, 2022

This semester of Spring 2022, UNC Asheville is saying farewell to remarkable staff and faculty members who have made a lasting impact on our university, through their work in the classroom and across campus.

Betsy Blose

Betsy Blose, special assistant to the director of athletics, is retiring after 20 years of service to UNC Asheville. "When you think about great Bulldogs...Betsy is the Bulldog," said Janet Cone, athletics director.

Learn more about Betsy Blose here.

Johnny Littrell

Johnny Littrell is retiring after 28 years at UNC Asheville. He started in Campus Operations, followed by working in parking enforcement. "He graduated from Police Academy and became one of our outstanding, hardworking police officers," said Danny Moss, interim police chief. "He was always a friendly face to everyone, and we'll be missing that." Fortunately, we won't be missing Johnny too long, as he'll be returning as a reserve police officer soon.

Gary Grier

Gary Grier has worked at UNC Asheville for 15 years as a ground worker. Gary is known for his skilled building of dry rock walls and stone patios. He's excited to spend time with his grandkids, hiking, gardening, and helping with his wife's pottery business.

Carolyn Houston

Carolyn Houston, team lead housekeeper, is retiring from UNC Asheville after 15 years of service. She's looking forward to spending more time with her grandchildren.

Sonya Ramey

Sonya Ramey, also a team lead housekeeper, is retiring after 19 years at UNC Asheville. Sonya is known for her skillfulness with the driving vacuum cleaner, and is looking forward to spending time at her beach house in Florida.

Teresa Honeycutt

Teresa Honeycutt, administrative support specialist in the Admission and Financial Aid Office. "Teresa's attitude and and daily outlook constantly reminded me that good work is done when hard work is worked on together," said Ryan Walsh, associate director of admission and financial aid.

Diane Royer

Diane Royer, administrative assistant for the Study Abroad Office, is retiring after 34 years of service. Diane hold two degrees from UNC Asheville, and has worked in the Registrar's Office, the Department of Physics, the Engineering Program, the Office of the Provost, in addition to the last 15 years in the Study Abroad Office.

Carolyn Ogburn

Carolyn Ogburn is retiring from her role as director of accessibility services after 20 years of service at UNC Asheville. "I just want to thank Carolyn for....challenging us to think about ways diversity is celebrated, ways that it's sometimes overlooked, and the power that we have when we recognize and celebrate difference," said Deaver Traywick, director of institutional planning.

Chris Bell

Chris Bell, associate professor of economics, came to UNC Asheville in 1989. "By our count, he has taught more than 4,300 students, and 269 class sections of 25 distinct courses, from first-year students to graduating seniors," said Leah Greden Mathews, chair and professor of economics. "A particularly noteworthy accomplishment from the department's perspective is that Dr. Bell served as research mentor for 198 economics majors as their instructor in the Department of Economic senior research capstone."

Bert Holmes

Bert Holmes, the Carson Distinguished Professor of Chemistry, came to UNC Asheville in in 1998. "He is an exemplar teacher scholar," said Sally Wasileski, chair and professor of chemistry. "A champion of the liberal arts, Bert believes that faculty engaging in cutting-edge research with undergraduates is our highest form of teaching, and the best possible way to educate undergraduate scientists." Bert mentored 85 research students, and of his 61 peer-reviewed publications, 51 have undergraduate student co-authors.