Spring Board of Trustees Meetings

Office of the President

Message from President Michael T. Benson

February 22, 2021

Dear Campus Colleagues,

I hope all of you enjoyed the spectacular weekend weather. We’ve had our share of precipitation of late and we certainly welcome the promise of the spring season ahead. In the wake of last week’s Board of Trustees meetings, I wanted to share a few important announcements.

First, hearty congratulations to the faculty members listed below who were granted emeritus honors, promoted to associate professor with tenure, and to full professor. The affirmative votes from our Board of Trustees speak to the quality of our faculty. In the future, these advancements will be included in the university press releases issued at the end of the meetings. However, I wanted to bring these significant accomplishments to your attention and congratulate all who have achieved these academic milestones at the University.

Awarded emeritus honors upon retirement:

Amy Edmunds, 10 years

David Evans, 23 years

Sharon Thompson, 29 years

Promoted to Associate Professor with Tenure:

Elizabeth Baltes

Jennifer Calhoun

Subhajit Chakraborty

Derek Crane

Tim Fischer

Heather Hagan

Kimberly Hale

Angelos Hannides

George Wes Hitt

Sofia Karatza

Drew Kurlowski

David Palmer

Michael Rich

Jessica Richardson

Ina Seethaler

Kaitlin Sidorsky

Wendy Weinhold

Promoted to Professor:

Lindsey Bell

Wanda Dooley

Monica Fine

Joseph Fitsanakis

Ron Green

Roi Gurka

Erin Hackett

Jeffry Halverson

Juli Harding

Austin Hitt

Kurt Hozak

JongHan Kim

Scott Parker

Richard Viso

Ryan Yoder

And second, the Board has directed us to address campus-wide salary compression issues—for both faculty and staff—in time for the new fiscal year on July 1, 2021. Further data is being collected to ensure we make the adjustments necessary and much work needs to happen before the process is completed. But I trust you will receive this news in the spirit in which it is intended: the CCU Board of Trustees and our administration appreciate each of your contributions to Coastal Carolina University. This investment in you as a member of the Coastal family is evidence of our gratitude for your service and commitment. More details will be forthcoming.

Finally, I express my own appreciation for you and what you do for our students. In a very short time, I have come to recognize that Coastal Carolina University is a very special place with outstanding people. My family and I are honored to be associated with the university and our community.

Yours sincerely,

Michael T. Benson