Emerson College Faculty Honored

Assistant Professor Mike Brown, whose Emerson career has spanned 45 years, receives an award from Chief Academic Officer Michaele Whelan.

Faculty members whose work at Emerson College has spanned decades—ranging from 20 to 45 years—were honored at the Bordy Theater on September 30 during the annual Faculty Appreciation Event, hosted by the Office of Academic Affairs and The Spirit of Emerson.

President Lee Pelton shared remarks with faculty at the well-attended event shortly after a choral performance by four student a cappella singing groups: Noteworthy, Treble Makers, Acappellics Anonymous, and Achoired Taste.  In addition, solo artist and student Felice Magistrali ’18 provided background music for the event.

The event was designed to honor all faculty, but 11 faculty members were singled out for their years of service:

• Mike Brown of Journalism (45 years)
• Marlena Yannetti of Performing Arts (42 years)
• Mary Harkins of Performing Arts (40 years)                  
• Morgan Baker of Writing, Literature and Publishing (30 years) 
• Tim Jozwick of Performing Arts (30 years)
• Christopher Keane of Writing, Literature and Publishing  (30 years)  
• Kevin Miller of Writing, Literature and Publishing (30 years)   
• Sandra Cohn Thau of Communication Sciences and Disorders (30 years)  
• Betsy Baeten of the Institute for Liberal Arts and Interdisciplinary Studies (25 years)  
• Jan Roberts-Breslin of Visual and Media Arts (25 years)         
• Richard Gilman of Performing Arts (20 years)

Chief Academic Officer Michaele Whelan said, “We are a learning community here at Emerson, and communities need to take some time to celebrate together….So in Walt Whitman’s words, this is a time to celebrate  yourself and sing yourself.” Whelan continued: “I am very proud of all you are doing. If students are the lifeblood of the body Emerson, faculty are the vibrant heart, the center and origin of learning.”  

Performing Arts faculty Marlena Yannetti (left) celebrates her 42 years teaching at Emerson as PA Chair and Professor Melia Bensussen looks on. Photos by Nydia Hartono '17