Described as “irreplaceable,” “talented,” and “thoughtful,” Ned Williams, Earl Wyman and Dan Stout were recognized for their contributions to BYU-Hawaii as faculty, staff and family members gathered for a luncheon in behalf of their retirement at the McKay Foyer on June 13. The dean of the College of Arts and Humanities, Dr. Phillip McArthur, conducted the event as faculty members spoke in behalf of each retiring individual.
Mark James, associate professor and associate dean of the College of Human Development, spoke in behalf of Professor Wyman who has been an assistant professor for TESOL and EIL since 1982. He said, "It is difficult to find someone with 1,000 miles of experience,” as he referred to Wyman as one who taught K-12 in a number of places around the world. “He is known as Mr. TESOL in our own department. But, I'm happy to see him go and move on with the next chapter of his life.”
Regarding Brother Wyman, Assistant Professor of English Teaching and Learning Allan Court said, “I am really going to miss him. Earl has been a great friend, professionally and personally.” He shared an example of how Professor Wyman would always drive him and other faculty members to the airport, let him use his car to run errands, and even pick things up for others from Costco.
Brother Court also shared his thoughts on how he personally saw Wyman as a teacher. “I admire the way he interacts with students outside of class and helps them outside with internships or helps them to get a better sense of opportunities offered to them.”
The dean of the College of Human Development, Stephen Hancock, spoke in behalf of English Professor Ned Williams who worked at BYUH for 40 years. Hancock said, “Ned is always learning things and doing things we want our students to do. He always does the hard stuff. He is known as the guy who always knows what he is talking about.
"He is hard to impress in the best of ways … Students see him as the challenge they want to take on. If you take his class, it’s a tough class, but every time students come out, they say, ‘Wow, that’s a great class.’ He has left a legacy here.”
Due to his love for books and not being able to take them all home with him when he returns to the mainland, Brother Williams donated all his books to the event, allowing anyone to take as many as they would like.
Dylan-Sage Wilcox, a senior from the Big Island majoring in English and a former student of Brother Williams, said, “I have taken at least four classes with Dr. Williams. He is such a good articulate and thoughtful professor because when he talks he dives right into it and gets down into the depths of literature. He makes understanding literature interesting and enjoyable. He makes me want to read and learn more.”
Associate Professor of International Cultural Studies Dr. Yifen Beus spoke for Daniel Stout, a professor of intercultural communications. She said he has been working for BYUH since 2006 and “those who know Dan would know he is a great colleague and friend. He’s had lots of industry experience and was the top scholar in his field. He is a very talented, thoughtful writer."
Dr. Stout’s TA, Dixie Bispham, a senior communications and peacebuilding major from Idaho, said, “Professor Stout is such a kind, genuine person. I am so grateful to have been able to work with him for the past two years. It’s always fantastic to be able to sit and talk story with professors who have such great minds like he does. I am going to miss working with him so much!
“He brings new opinions and perspectives into the Mormon culture. I think it is also great that he had experience teaching at a university that wasn’t LDS. We are so lucky to have him because he isn’t just incredibly bright, but he is also incredibly good natured.”
After the luncheon, each retiring professor shared some last comments of gratitude and thoughts regarding their overall experience at BYUH. Dr. Stout said, “BYUH has a diversity in cultural richness that allows us to explore life issues from so many perspectives. I have valued that immensely and treasured every moment of being here.”
Brother Wyman shared, “I have noticed in the last little while that wherever I go I am constantly meeting students and former students that I will miss terribly. People ask me why I didn’t retire earlier. It was because my colleagues are among the best in the world and my students are awesome. The students have constantly been very dear to me."
Dr. Williams gave tribute to the hospitality offered here by Hawaiian culture in allowing him and other professors to come here. He acknowledged the rich implements of people who lived and raised families here.
Writer: Brooklyn Redd