Photo: Administrative assistant Cheryl Druffel is shown in the lounge area of the new Emeritus Society, located on the third floor of the Owen Science and Engineering Library. (Photo by Shelly Hanks, WSU Photo Services.) This new organization for retired WSU faculty now has a headquarters with lounge and office spaces located on the third floor of the Owen Science and Engineering Library on the Pullman campus. In addition, it has a website (ONLINE @ www.wsu.edu/emeritussociety), a scheduled open house (see information box), and an administrative assistant, Cheryl Druffel, who is charged with bringing this vision of a supportive retirees network to reality.
Druffel, who started at WSU in 1985, will be responsible for maintaining records and budgets, assisting the emeritus faculty members and working with the society’s advisory board. She’ll welcome members to the lounge and schedule their use of the six individual office spaces.
Tom Brigham, in his former position as executive assistant to the president for faculty relations, initiated the Emeritus Society project. Brigham, a professor of psychology, explains that he is continuing as the program coordinator, but as a volunteer now.
“I’m semiretired now,” he said. “In a few years, I’ll retire and be able to join myself.”
Brigham noted that the society is open to any retired faculty from any WSU campus. About 70 faculty members have joined. Membership is free at this time. Most members are Pullman faculty still living in the area, but some are retired from other WSU campuses or have moved elsewhere.
“Wherever they live, they see the Emeritus Society as a local headquarters for their use, with office space where they can set up for a short time,” Brigham said. “The lounge is designed for relaxation, interaction and networking, and we will be creating programs in mentoring, lecturing and substitute teaching that will link our members to the university.”
He urged any retired faculty, or faculty nearing retirement, to come to the open house or contact the society through Druffel (druffelc@wsu.edu or 335-8090).
“We have a pretty nice little facility here,” Brigham said.
Warm welcome
There will be an open house/welcome reception on Thursday, Dec. 6 from 2-4:30 p.m. at the Emeritus Society Suite, third floor Owen Science and Engineering Library.
