South Plains College to honor 11 retirees

 

LEVELLAND – South Plains College will say goodbye to 11 employees who retired in spring 2020. These employees combined for 228 years of service to SPC in which each played a vital role in the success of the college as well as the thousands of students that pass through its doors.

 

The retirees are Carol Brannon, Dr. James Harman, Cayetano Jacquez, Iris Keeling, Dr. John Kennedy, Dr. Joseph Kline, Tina Lee, Cindy Scott, Wes Underwood, Linda Wells and Dr. Jim Wilhelm.

 

“I am consistently impressed with the longevity of our employees at South Plains College,” said Dr. Robin Satterwhite, president. “We are fortunate to have talented employees who have committed so much of their career to our college and our students.

 

Brannon, associate professor of speech, is retiring with 19 years of service. She started working at South Plains College on Aug. 15, 2001. She plans to continue to learn, teach, grow and repeat as needed. 

 

Dr. Harman, professor of chemistry, is leaving with 15 years of service. He started working for SPC on Aug. 17, 2005. His last day of service is May 29, 2020. During his retirement, he plans to spend more time visiting their sons in Seattle, Wash., and Colorado Springs, Colo., plus their extended family in Alberta and British Columbia.

 

Jacquez, maintenance and custodian supervisor, is retiring with 25 years of service. He started working for the college on Jan. 2, 1996. His last day of service was Feb. 7, 2020.

 

Keeling, professor of biology, is leaving with 28 years of service. She started working for SPC on Aug. 14, 1992. Her last day of service was May 8. During her retirement, she plans to work in her garden, walk her dogs and become a full time business owner.

 

Dr. Kennedy, professor of music-high brass, is leaving with 10 years of service. He started working at the college on Aug. 18, 2010. His last day of service was May 8, 2020. For his retirement, he plans to spend time with his family as well as perform and teach music.

 

Dr. Kline, department chair for business administration and industrial technology, is retiring with 17 years of service. He started working for SPC on Aug. 20, 2003. His last day of service is May 31, 2020. He plans to spend more time with his family, work on some home-improvement projects, play music and take motorcycle trips. He also plans to assist his wife with her quilting business.

 

Lee, associate professor of kinesiology, is retiring with 28 years of service. She started working at SPC on Aug. 14, 1992. Her last day of service is May 29, 2020. She plans to move to the farm full time.

 

Scott, administrative assistant to the associate dean of marketing and recruitment, retired from the college on Jan. 31, 2020 after 20 years of service. She started working at SPC on Jan. 24, 2000. 

 

Underwood, communications specialist, is retiring with 19 years of service. He started working for the college on Aug. 1, 2001. His last day of service was May 14.He plans to work as an adjunct instructor in photography at SPC and continue to do some freelance work. He wants to spend as much time as he can with his grandchildren and ride his 4-wheeler. He also plans to go hiking and backpacking to places he has never before seen.

 

Wells, administrative assistant for business administration and industrial technology department, is retiring with 15 years of service. She started working for the college on Jan. 10, 2005. Her last day of service is May 29, 2020. For her retirement, she plans to travel to visit her family in Houston and travel with her friends from church.

Dr. Wilhelm, professor of business, is retiring with 32 years of service. He started working for the college on Aug. 18, 1988. His last day of service will be May 29, 2020. He plans to continue writing, jogging, playing the guitar and woodworking.