Wayne, Nebraska – Following a nomination process, recently retired Peru State professors, Ken Anderson, Spencer Davis and Dan Holtz were honored with emeritus faculty status by a vote of the Nebraska State College System Board of Trustees. The nomination process began with faculty colleagues, but required the recommendation of both Dr. Dan Hanson and Chancellor Stan Carpenter.
The Nebraska State College System policy on the process reads, “Emeritus status is awarded by the Board to recognize employees who are nominated by the College for their significant contributions and service to the institution.”
Ken Anderson
Ken Anderson was a Professor of Art at Peru State College. He retired in the summer of 2016. In addition to his teaching duties, Anderson was the curator of the Peru State College Art Gallery.
Anderson joined the Peru State faculty in 1984 after completing his Master of Fine Arts at the University of Nebraska with an emphasis in sculpture. His work has been represented in multiple solo exhibitions and he has exhibited work nationally and internationally.
Anderson said, “As a working artist and educator for thirty plus years, I have long been aware that what I do as an artist directly impacts, in one way or another, my students.”
“I have always made myself and my artwork available to my students. Students are also likely to see me working late at night and weekends on my pieces. I hope they have benefited by this example.“
Anderson adds, “Hopefully my students have learned that I am not an educator that does art, rather I am an artist that educates. There is a difference.”
Spencer Davis
Dr. Spencer Davis was a Professor of History at Peru State College. He retired in the summer of 2017. After retirement he continued to be active on the Peru State sesquicentennial planning committee.
In an e-mail about his tenure here, Davis writes, “I came to Peru State in the middle of the 1984 spring semester to fill an unexpected, temporary opening . . . and stayed for 33 years!”
Davis earned his Bachelors in History from Brown University in 1968 and his Masters in 19th Century American History from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 1972. He received his Ph.D. in History, with an emphasis on Modern Britain, from the University of Toronto in 1982.
While his teaching assignments at Peru State called largely for classes in American history, Davis has taught a wide variety of history and social science classes in the last 33 years, including Introduction to Philosophy, Modern Middle East, American Political Thought, World Mythology, African American History, Modern Africa and more.
“I have been fortunate in having energetic colleagues to join with and learn from who believed in the curriculum beyond the classroom and brought speakers, plays, contests, poets, politicians to campus. I like to think I played a part in that effort to create a richer academic community on campus, and I benefited from some of the amazing trips they planned.”
Dan Holtz
Dr. Dan Holtz was a Professor of English at Peru State College. He retired in the summer of 2016. In addition to his regular teaching duties, Holtz was co-director of the Trails and Tales Institute and Tour. After retirement he continued to be active on the Peru State sesquicentennial planning committee.
Holtz was hired in 1987 after earning his Doctorate in English Education from the University of Northern Colorado. He had previously earned a Masters in English Education from Chadron State College and his Bachelors in English Education from Kearney State College (now University of Nebraska – Kearney).
The Omaha World-Herald writes, “Dan Holtz has sung about Nebraska at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., won a trip to Japan on ‘Wheel of Fortune’, and this year is traveling to South Africa and China. But the recently retired professor of Nebraska literature at Peru State College feels most at home writing about, talking about and singing about — home.”
With the release of “All Original, All Nebraska,” Holtz continues his work to promote the history and diversity of the Nebraskan experience. He wrote all but one of the twelve songs about Nebraska featured on the album.
Dr. Holtz said, “Nebraska is a great state with enterprising people, a geography whose variety will surprise those who have only seen I-80, and important stories–not only for the region, but also the nation. So many of these stories are inspiring, not just because they show milestones of progress, but because they show the kind of progress that is only earned through perseverance and battles with prejudice and injustice.”
Emeritus Faculty
The complete list of living emeritus faculty include:
- Clyde Barrett (1965-1993), Professor Emeritus of English
- Everett Browning (1969-1986), Professor Emeritus of Journalism
- Paul Kruse (1969-1994), Assistant Professor Emeritus of Library Science
- Kelly Liewer (1968-1997), Registrar Emeritus
- David Pippert (1977-1999), Professor Emeritus of Natural Science
- David Edris (1974-2008), Professor Emeritus of Music
- Bill Snyder (1979-2011), Professor Emeritus of Business
The dates note their time on campus.
The responsibilities of emeritus faculty include, continuing to support and actively contributing toward the mission and purpose of Peru State College while maintaining the professional and personal standards held during their tenure.
The Nebraska State College System policy on emeritus faculty requires the completion of a minimum of 15 years of full-time employment at the State College and the rank of full professor earned through promotion. The requirements also note exemplary performance in the areas of teaching, scholarship, creative activities and service throughout tenure at the College, as well as demonstrated leadership and collaboration.
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