Guilford College has many dedicated employees. Twenty-seven of them are celebrating service milestones this fall, from Glaxo-Wellcome Professor of Physics Thom Espinola at 40 years to a group of 10 faculty and staff members who recently hit the 5-year mark.
We asked several of those Guilfordians about their experience at the College, including what they are looking forward to in the future.
Tim Kircher - 35 years
Tim (pictured above) is the H. Curt and Pat S. Hege Professor of History and arrived at Guilford in June 1989.
How I got to Guilford: “When I met History Department faculty in Cincinnati at the American Historical Association annual meeting for my first interview and then was invited to campus, what distinguished Guilford was a spirit of collegiality and a welcoming atmosphere for new ideas. What strengthened my decision to come to Guilford was the reception I received on campus where I met a wide range of faculty and also (President) Bill Rogers. (History Professor) Henry Hood had a dinner at his house that was warm and festive, where I met members of the department and other faculty members and staff. That was unique in my experience of applying for positions, but also characteristic of Guilford’s values.”
What I have enjoyed the most: “Hands down, the close working relationship that we have with students. I think it’s the relatively small class sizes, extensive conversations in and out of class, the fostering of their academic interests, and being able to do that in a place that’s academically rigorous and nurturing, that’s by far what’s special.”
Why I have stayed committed: “Guilford has afforded me the opportunity to develop the breadth and depth of my academic life. I’ve had the opportunity to teach a wide range of courses, not only in History, but cross offerings in other departments, including in the Health Humanities minor. I’ve had a chance to explore the breadth of my teaching. Guilford has given me the opportunity to explore and present my research in the field of Renaissance history. I came here as a scholar of 16th century Germany and turned it to 14th and 15th century Italy. Guilford supported me in this.”
What I am looking forward to: “I foresee Guilford’s reputation growing as a special place of learning for a wide variety of students, student-scholars, student-athletes. I’m optimistic. With Kyle’s leadership we’re on that path. That reputation involves increasing alumni support and engagement and a growing and increasingly diverse group of undergraduate students. Wherever we are right now, there’s so much potential and real energy in support of making sure Guilford’s light will shine ever brightly.”
Antoinette Harris - 15 years
Antoinette is Senior Human Resources Generalist and arrived at Guilford in March 2009.
How I got to Guilford: “Moving to Greensboro and working at Guilford was about a change in life for me. I lived near the campus and drove by regularly. Coming onto the campus and interviewing for a position with Jimmy Wilson and Jerry Boothby, I fell in total love with the community and the camaraderie. I would not have been able to make that transition without knowing Jimmy and Jerry. Jerry explained the Quaker values, and I found that they aligned with my values. I was drawn here given my New Orleans background, where there are a multitude of different folks. I felt I could rest easy in my soul here.”
What I have enjoyed the most: “I think what I’ve enjoyed the most is meeting so many students. I still have connections with ones I’ve worked with. Having connections with students and their families has been so special to me. Now that I look back at 15 years, it has passed so quickly. I’ve watched so many students come through and leave Guilford better than they came, with a purpose in life. I am grateful to have been a part of that.”
Why I have stayed committed: “I’m a true believer that there is a purpose for all of us. I believe I am here for a purpose and that is to be a part of students’ lives and help them understand that they have something to contribute. We all have a purpose, and mine is to give something to some students. We work together on this. We all have a part.”
What I am looking forward to: “Simply put, tomorrow. The sun goes down and comes back up. There will always be trials, but every day is a new day, and we get to make it right on another day. I look forward to that. There have been tough times, like during COVID, but look where we are now with a campus full of students. Every day is a new day.”
Liz Wade - 20 years
Liz is Discovery, Systems and Digital Strategies Librarian and arrived at Guilford in September 2004.
How I got to Guilford: “I graduated from Smith College (Mass.) in 2004 and was not sure what I wanted to do with my degree in Spanish Language and Literature. I had worked in the library as an undergraduate. After my father’s death, my mom decided to move to Greensboro to be closer to my sister, who was an assistant women’s soccer coach at Guilford. I came, too. I applied for a job as technical services assistant with Ruth Scales in the library at Guilford and got it. It was kind of a behind-the-scenes position.”
What I have enjoyed the most: “Definitely my colleagues here, in the library, and across campus. Gwen (Erickson) is a fabulous colleague and Suzanne (Bartels) is a wonderful director. It’s great to see students in their journey at Guilford. We’ve had some folks go on to grad school in Library Science. One of the interesting things about working with students is seeing them grow.”
Why I have stayed committed: “It’s really the community here. We have really supportive colleagues. In the library, some of us have been here a long time. You feel like you’ve found a place. Even though we’ve gone through ups and downs, we support one another. Working in a small place gives you a chance to try different things. I think about it as behind-the-scenes and on the front lines. I’ve had an opportunity to see things in the library from front to back.”
What I am looking forward to: “For the College, seeing the newest group of students and how they will develop in their time here. We’ve been talking about Artificial Intelligence and how that will change things. Some things change for the better, and some things I would like to stay the same. I think AI will be impactful. With a Google search you now see an AI answer first. We want to make sure as we teach students to be information literate, that they are encouraged to investigate and continue to think critically.”
Here is the list of employees hitting service milestones in 2024:
40 years
Thom Espinola
35 years
Tim Kircher
30 years
David Petree
Rob Whitnell
Monty Walker
25 years
Will Pizio
20 years
Cynthia Nearman
Eric Mortensen
Heather Hayton
Liz Wade
Michael Crouch ’10 and ’12
15 years
Kristie Wyatt ’08
Antoinette Harris
Natalya Shelkova
10 years
Nick Mangili
Christine Stracey Richard
Michael Dutch
5 years
Michael Costolo ’11
Beth Ritson-Lavender
Zachary Booker
Katherine Morgan
Scott Crabbs
LaKeisha Williams
Michael White
Mitzi Bond
Gloria Thornton
Donovan Smith