As the semester draws to a close, Goshen College prepares to say goodbye to a few longtime employees.
Two will be retiring, one is moving on to another college, and another will shift to part-time in advance of retirement.
Lois Martin has served for ten and a half years in the Academic Resource Center. Providing academic support for students, Martin has done a number of things, including helping students with their writing, sharing tips for time management and setting up tutoring.
“I will treasure the opportunities I had to work with outstanding students and colleagues,” said Martin. “My work was always interesting, challenging and fulfilling.”
While Martin never thought that she’d end up working at GC after she graduated, she said it “has been a capstone for [her] career in education.”
In retirement, Martin is looking forward to spending time with her husband and grandson.
Along with Martin, Jeanette Yoder, financial aid administrative assistant, will be retiring. Joel Short, director of financial aid, said, “Jeanette has been an anchor in the financial aid office.” Having served for 15 years, Yoder is the member of the office that has been there the longest.
In her position, she is the first person that students and parents interact with when dealing with the financial aid office. But even though people may get frustrated in dealing with finances, Short commends Yoder for her ability in that role.
“Jeanette’s warm and friendly to current and prospective students and parents,” said Short. “She takes the time to listen to the person on the other end of the phone call without getting defensive.” Short is “sad to see her go,” but is “excited for her personally on her retirement.”
After 16 years of teaching history, Steve Nolt is not retiring, but rather will be moving on to Elizabethtown College in Pennsylvania following the conclusion of the 2015-2016 academic year. He will be working with the school’s Young Center for Anabaptist and Pietist Studies where he will be teaching, researching and writing with a focus on scholarship on Mennonites and the Amish.
“He is the world’s expert on Amish History but most students don’t even know that,” said Jan Shetler. “I wish he were staying; we will miss him a lot.” Nolt is grateful for “delightful students and wonderful colleagues” during his years teaching here.
“I’ve had 16 really good years here, and it won’t be easy to leave,” he said.
Shetler said, “We’ve been lucky to have him this long. I hope students express their gratitude for his teaching and mentorship.”
Next semester Jim Histand, vice president for finance, will be switching to part-time in an attempt to phase out for his retirement at the end of June.
President Jim Brenneman described Histand as “an all around enthusiast for higher education, the church and social justice for all.”
“I appreciate his sense of humor,” said Brenneman. “I appreciate transparency and his wise counsel. His shoes will be difficult to fill.”
Histand spent his first seven years as a teaching faculty, and his next 19 as VP for finance. With those years come a number of memories.
“There are so many memories it’s hard to settle on one,” said Histand. “Being a part of the focus group that came up with our five core values, building the music center, the running track, the connector and the apartments, witnessing the positive influence GC had on so many students including my own three children. I could go on and on.”
In the downtime, Histand is ready to slow down and enjoy time with his family. “26 years goes extremely fast when you are having fun, are committed to the mission, and are working with great people,” he said.
Norm Bakhit, who serves as human resource manager, is glad to have employees like them.
“These employees are committed to the mission and values of the institution and work for the college as a ‘calling’ beyond just a ‘job,’” said Bakhit. “They commit their numerous talents to the college for greater values than just a paycheck.”
