CCU retirees look forward to life after CCU
by Prufer
Since leaving Coastal Carolina University, Linda Ketron is now working just four jobs instead of five. Pat Piver plans to travel. Susan Webb wants to visit some of the national parks, work on some projects and get her dog certified as an AKC Canine Good Citizen. Mike Ferguson will be taking a trip to Italy in August and another to Hawaii in October for his 50th high school reunion. Eddie Dyer plans “nothing concrete,” just catching up on reading, writing, playing golf and spending time with his wife Cynthia.
Twenty-five CCU faculty and staff are retiring this year, and in their own words, here’s what they are looking forward to.
Nancy Burton, 28 years, graphic designer, University Communication
“When I began working at CCU on Sept. 21, 1987, I had no idea how exciting the journey toward retirement would be. The University has been like a second home to thousands of students, faculty, staff and friends and has grown tremendously. Therefore, after 28 years of being part of this institution, I made the decision to retire to begin another journey in life with many mixed feelings.
"When people used to ask me about my plans for retirement, my first thought was, 'Retire? Who, me? Not be a part of CCU?' I wasn't sure if I could do that! But then I realized, "Once a Chanticleer, always a Chanticleer," so after much thought, I decided to make the move – literally. We are planning to move back to Georgia and build a home on the same property my parents bought when they married at the end of World War II. The same land where my parents raised five daughters and taught us the value of friends and community. Within the next year, our homeplace there will again be the hub of our now extended family and our lifelong friends."
Eddie Dyer, 39 years at Coastal in various positions including executive vice president.
“Nothing concrete. Books I’ve put off reading. And there are a few topics I want to write about. A little more golf than I’ve been playing. Other than that, just traveling a bit and spending time with Cynthia.”
Mike Ferguson, 27 years at CCU, chair and professor of biology.
“I plan on doing some traveling, starting with a trip to Italy in August and Hawaii in October. The trip to Hawaii will be to attend my 50th high school reunion. I graduated from high school in Hawaii. I am going to stay in the area, since my family is scattered and likes coming to the beach, and I have a lot of friends in the area. I am involved with the Masonic Lodge, which fills up my evenings, as well as a couple of other social groups. Seven years before Coastal, I taught at South Dakota State University.
Linda Ketron, former director of the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, 11 years at CCU.
“I am already enjoying retirement, which on the surface is simply four jobs instead of five! I'm continuing to teach water aerobics at the Litchfield Beach & Golf Resort three times a week (now for 25 years), to promote select local artists in my gallery Art Works (now 18 years), to coordinate the Moveable Feast (also 18 years) and to publish local authors through CLASS Publishing Division (now in its second year and third book). My efforts on behalf of the local library system and the development of multipurpose paths to connect the communities on the Waccamaw Neck continue unabated. And, of course, more time for my family!
Pat Piver, associate professor of secondary education in the Spadoni College of Education, at CCU for 12 years and 38 years in education. She plans to travel, spend time with family and friends and visit.
Chyrel Stalvey, administrative coordinator in the Office of the President working with the Board of Trustees and the Horry County Higher Education Commission, 20 years.
"Looking forward to a three-week visit to Salt Lake City in July to visit with my niece and her husband and my grandnephew. Taking another nephew with me. I have so many projects that I’ve not completed that it will keep my busy for years -- sewing, crocheting, jewelry making, painting, reading. Bought a fancy sewing machine that does all kinds of designs and need to learn to use it and have fun with it. Looking forward to playing with grandnieces and nephews. Will keep working on my family genealogy, editing the Horry County Historical Society’s quarterly journal and spending time with my mother. I have really loved my years at Coastal Carolina and will miss the camaraderie with all the folks on campus. I thank all the people who have helped me through the years for they made my working years less work and more enjoyable.”
Susan Webb, sociology professor, has been at CCU 31 years. Here’s her list:
“Spending more time with my family and friends; giving more time to causes and groups that are important to me; practicing what I've professed by serving on the Persistent Poverty Project of the Southern Sociological Society – assessing needs, developing community partnerships and finding funding to ameliorate poverty in rural South Carolina counties.
Finally getting my dog SAM (Simply Amazing Mutt) certified as an AKC Canine Good Citizen; adding stamps to my U.S. passport, National Parks Passport and South Carolina State Parks Guidebook; and joining all the happy CCU retirees attending lots of campus events, games, productions and activities.”
Sandy Williams, 25 years at CCU, former director of Facilities Planning and Management.
“Looking forward to relaxing and traveling. My husband and I love to camp and want to travel out west in our RV within the next year."
Other retirees include:
Chris Diskin
Ron Gardner
Judy Hawkins
Yvonne Lasane
Randall Mishoe
David Moyer
Edgar Peirce
Patricia Piver
Susan Soucy
Carol Walters
