Members of Faculty Senate and Eastern’s chapter of University Professionals of Illinois gathered Tuesday afternoon to honor the members of Eastern’s community who are retiring at the end of the semester.

Audrey Edwards, who leads UPI Retirees, was honored at the reception when she retired last year and encourages those who are retiring to continue to stay involved with the university.

“It’s a really important time to be involved because pensions and health benefits are in danger,” Edwards said. “There’s strength in numbers.”

Alan Baharlou, of the State University Annuitants Association, said life after retiring is very exciting, especially for those being honored at the reception.

“You have a great support to continue your enjoyment,” Baharlou said. “We honor your accomplishments in the past, but we also celebrate the journey you are about to take.”

Mathematics professor Cheryl Hawker came to the university in 1979. During her career in mathematics, she has primarily focused on general education mathematics and business calculus. She has also served and help found several mathematics organizations.

Hawker said one of her proudest accomplishments was starting Eastern’s chapter of Circle K International, the college version of Kiwanis Club focused on volunteerism and outreach. The year the club ranked highest in the small organization category, Hawker got a license plate to commemorate the accomplishment. Although the chapter is no longer in function, Hawker said she misses the students she mentored while serving as faculty adviser for the group.

“I’m going to miss the students most,” Hawker said. “I enjoyed being an influence in the growth of an individual.”

Another retiree honored during the event was Jocelyn Phillips from Eastern’s Gateway Program. Phillips joined the university in 2002 after serving as a social worker with the Department of Children and Family Services for 20 years. During her time at Eastern, she has primarily worked with freshmen in the Gateway Program. Phillips also served as chairwoman of the African American Heritage Planning Committee.

Being honored at the reception “made (retirement) more real,” she said. “However, it’s still nice to be recognized.”

Phillips retired earlier this year, so she has had the opportunity to adjust to the change.

“I was very anxious at first because I felt I didn’t have a plan,” she said.

However, Phillips has also discovered that time is no longer rushed and she can take her time to read and enjoy gardening. She is also looking forward to traveling to Ghana this summer with her husband Charles, who is the director of human resources at Eastern. Phillips, who is from Minneapolis, Minn., received her undergraduate degree at Prairie View A & M University in Texas and received her graduate degree from University of Illinois at Springfield.

Phillips said she has enjoyed working with the students of the Gateway Program and still stays in contact with many of them to date.

“Once you’re in the Gateway Program, you’re family,” she said. “It’s a refreshing and exciting life and I have thoroughly enjoyed it.”

Shelley Holmgren can be reached at 581-7942 or [email protected].