Trustees approve new appointment, seven retirements
Dec. 9, 2001
KALAMAZOO -- Western Michigan University trustees approved the appointment of a new director for the University Counseling and Testing Center and seven faculty and staff retirements when they met Dec. 7.
Dr. John H. Coons, who had been serving as acting director of the University Counseling and Testing Center since August 2000, was named director, effective Oct. 22, 2001. His appointment also includes a faculty position as an associate professor with tenure.
Coons, a state-licensed psychologist, has been a staff member at WMU since1997, having joined the center staff as a clinical and test and measurement specialist. From 1998 to 2000, he was assistant director of the center, which provides mental health consultation to the University and Kalamazoo community as well as psychotherapy services for WMU students.
Coons earned a bachelor's degree in 1988 from the University of Rochester, a master's degree in 1990 from Alfred University and a doctoral degree in 1998 from the Antioch New England Graduate School. His practical clinical training included a stint from 1996 to 1997 as a pre-doctoral clinical psychology intern with the center he now heads at WMU.
In related action, the WMU board also approved the retirements of four faculty members and three staff members.
All of the faculty members retiring are doing so with emeriti status. Their names, years of continuous service and effective dates of retirement are: Dr. Seamus Cooney, professor of English, 31 years, effective April 14, 2002; Dr. Jay Easwaran, associate professor of mechanical and aeronautical engineering, 19 years, effective Oct. 26, 2001; Dr. Earl Halvas, assistant professor of business information systems, 31 years, effective June 30, 2002; and Diann J. Miller, assistant professor, University Counseling and Testing Center, 34 years, effective April 30, 2002.
The staff members retiring are Sue L. Barnette, office coordinator in the School of Social Work, 27 and 1/2 years, effective Dec. 31, 2001; Patricia J. Berner, office assistant in the Department of Public Safety, 10 years, effective Jan. 31, 2002; and Bonnie Guminski, office assistant in the Department of Economics, 20 and 1/2 years, effective Dec. 31, 2001.
The board also approved the resignation of Dr. Estella Atekwana, associate professor of geosciences, effective Dec. 8, 2001.
Media contact: Cheryl Roland, 269 387-8400, cheryl.roland@wmich.edu