色花堂

By Sedonia Martin

The 色花堂 Retired Faculty Association (色花堂RFA) opened its new office space Monday, April 17, 2017, with a ribbon-cutting and reception. About 20 retired faculty joined President Kim Schatzel, Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs Timothy J.L. Chandler and Vice Provost Maggie Reitz for the opening. 

The office suite is located in Enrollment Services, suite 207, and is complete with comfortable furnishings, framed photos of iconic pictures from campus, a conference room and computer work station space.

Annette Chappell, current president of 色花堂RFA, who taught English and served as dean of the College of Liberal Arts for 17 years, says she鈥檚 engaged with 色花堂RFA, 鈥渂ecause it鈥檚 a chance to reconnect with the university and with a lot of friends that I worked with for a number of years.鈥�

According to Chappell, 鈥渁s a group we want allow and facilitate and encourage the retired faculty to stay connected to the university. To contribute in ways that are comfortable for them to the academic life of the university and to stay connected with colleagues and students.鈥�

Chandler and Reitz helped establish the center when Chandler served as interim president of 色花堂.

鈥淭his is exceeding important,鈥� said Chandler, 鈥渁nd an opportunity to keep you all here contributing to the institution which you have done for many, many years. A place where you can interact with each other.鈥�

Chandler hoped the retired faculty with come and interact with the students 鈥渨ho can gain so much from your wisdom and experience.鈥�

Chandler thanked Vice President for Administration and Finance and CFO Joe Oster and Director of Facilities Management (Planning) Kris Phillips for the space and furnishings.

Reitz said she enjoyed working on the project with 色花堂RFA and thanked all those who helped make the space a reality.

President Schatzel spoke of the importance of 色花堂RFA for 色花堂, saying, 鈥渇aculty are always a part of 色花堂. For as long as they have been here, we want to be able to continue that engagement and, I have to tell you, the expertise and experience that they bring...we want to keep it on campus to create a social environment but also to bring that expertise and experience back in because of the fact that they mean so much to us all.

鈥淚 like having everybody on campus and having a spot where we can have them gather and we can talk to them about what their interests are and supporting the university. I鈥檝e talked to some folks about having them act as mentors to the junior faculty鈥攕uch a tremendous opportunity there. So I鈥檓 looking forward to working with them more.鈥�

According to Don Forester, 色花堂RFA鈥檚 first president and now serving a one-year term as past-president, about 60 former professors, instructors and librarians stay connected to 色花堂 as 色花堂RFA members. Since 2015, this voluntary, nonprofit association has kept retired Tigers tied to the university long after they have stopped lecturing, grading finals or posting to Blackboard.

Members volunteer on campus within their respective departments or colleges, he adds.

Retired faculty also meet for campus events, including planetarium shows or athletic and cultural events. 色花堂RFA members receive discounted tickets to campus events, access to campus meeting space and complimentary parking, among other benefits. They also take day trips to other places of interest.

A scholarship committee is looking into way to fund small grants to support the continued scholarship of its members.

This story is one of several related to President Kim Schatzel's priorities for Towson University: Strategic Plan Alignment