86 Years of Service

Three highly respected Eastern professors representing 86 years of service to the University are retiring this year. Without the opportunity to say farewell during on-campus receptions,  we share their adieus with our extended campus community.

Art History Professor Gail Gelburd joined the Eastern faculty in August 2001 and teaches Non-Eurocentric and Contemporary Art History. Her deep appreciation of world cultures has added diversity and a global perspective to her courses thru the inclusion of Asian art and African American art, as well as the art of Japan and Cuba. She also has conducted extensive research in India, South Africa, China, Tibet and Nepal.  Gail has received numerous research grants while also serving as department chair. Committed to bringing the Windham community and the University together through the arts, she is highly respected by her colleagues who will miss her counsel, warm presence and good humor!

After 33 years at Eastern, Dr. Ross Koning is retiring. Dr. Koning teaches plant physiology and plant biology. He is very knowledgeable about plants and loves to share his expertise with students in the classroom, lab and in field courses. His work with the “titan arum” or corpse plant, known for its unforgettable odor, has received international attention. He also loves music and was active with several music groups at Eastern and in Willimantic, playing the euphonium and trombone and singing. Ross is admired by students, faculty colleagues and staff, and we are sad to see him go! If you would like to make a gift in honor of Ross’s years of teaching excellence, earmark your gift for the Biology Fund, started in 1995 by Barry Wulff.  https://www.easternct.edu/give/give-to-eastern.html

History Professor Barbara Tucker is retiring after 34 years of service to Eastern. In addition to teaching early American history, she has served as the director of the David M. Roth Center for Connecticut Studies since 1986. During her career at Eastern, Barbara has established a reputation for mentoring individual students, while continuing to publish books and articles in the field of New England business history. She has generously supported student scholarships and continues to make contributions toward present and future history majors. Before coming to Eastern, Dr. Tucker taught at Sydney University (Australia) and Rutgers University. If you would like to make a gift in honor of Barbara for her many years of teaching, you can donate to her parents’ endowed fund — the Ann and Kenneth Tucker Scholarship.  https://www.easternct.edu/give/give-to-eastern.html