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A special dinner honoring retired JMU Biology faculty members was held on May 24th, 2005 at Simple Pleasures restaurant in Harrisonburg.  Retired faculty members in attendance included Emily (Baxter) Branscome, Jack Davis, Elwood Fisher, Bob Graves, Jim Grimm, Bill Mengebier, Bev Silver, and Gil Trelawny.  Anne Nielsen also was an honored guest, as her late husband Pete worked for many years in the Department.  Several current members of the Department were in attendance as well.  Louise Temple, Biology Department Head, gave opening words of welcome before dinner.  During dinner, each guest received a copy of A Brief Pictorial History of the JMU Biology Department, which included yearbook photos of Department faculty members from 1967-1980.

After dinner, a Certificate of Achievement was presented to each of our honored guests.  Each certificate read, in part, “in recognition of your outstanding achievements in and contributions to the James Madison University Department of Biology,” and was signed by Louise Temple and David Brakke (Dean of the College of Science and Mathematics).  At this time, Conley McMullen told a few stories from his days as a graduate student in the Department, and ended his comments with, “Tonight is about honoring those who helped build the Biology Department into what it is today.  Although we can’t adequately repay you, we would like you to know that you have our heartfelt appreciation.  And even though most of your students aren’t here to say so, you’ve helped mold us into what we are today, and many of our successes we owe to lessons learned under your tutelage.  So, speaking for all of them, you have our thanks, admiration, and love.”  The highlight of the evening came when several members of the Department, past and present, told stories of memorable events, colleagues, and students over the years.

Examples of stories included:

• Chris Lantz describing his ride in Jan Winstead’s pickup truck to a local motel to meet Jean Acton,

• Bill Mengebier telling how his power as department head included deciding whom students were allowed to date.

• Pixie Graves recounting the time she had to drop exams off in the anatomy lab (complete with bodies) for Bob.

• Norm Garrison reminding everyone of Jack Davis’ motorbike.

• Jim Grimm relating how Bill Mengebier hired him, although at first he wasn’t going to take the position.

• Bill Latham outlining the rigors of taking Jack Davis’ class on “Research Materials and Methods.”

Participants: Sharon Babcock, Rachel Bowman, Emily Branscome, Dean Cocking, Linda Cocking, Jack Davis, Katherine Davis, Jim Dendinger, Judy Dilts, Elwood Fisher, Norm Garrison, Tabitha Garrison, Bob Graves, Pixie Graves, Jim Grimm, Joanne Grimm, Maggie Kyger, Chris Lantz, Bill Latham, Lynette Latham, Conley McMullen, Bill Mengebier, Anne Nielsen, Fritz Rosebrook, Bev Silver, Louise Temple, Gil Trelawny, Florence Trelawny.  (posted 8/8/05)

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