FCBE Employee Retires After 35 Years of Service and Dedication By Taylor Woody In higher education, university faculty and staff may come and go, but seldom do people make years of memories at one institution. After 35 years of admirable service to the College of Business, the 2019-20 school year was the last for Mary Johnson. Johnson became a Memphian after growing up on a farm and graduating high school in Indiana. “I attended Purdue University for three semesters before I got married to someone who joined the Air Force,” Johnson says. “I finished my Bachelor of Science in Education at the UofM after I started working here.” Johnson started at the UofM as a secretary in the marketing department on September 18, 1985. She held a variety of positions during her tenure,
but her current position as honors academic advisor and scheduling coordinator tops her favorite’s list. “Class scheduling is a giant multidimensional puzzle, and I like working puzzles,” she says. While Johnson admits she won’t miss going to the office early, she’ll miss “the people I work with and my honors students.” One of her most unusual memories includes having her sneezes measured on the Richter scale by marketing department faculty.
Mary Johnson, recent retiree
After retiring, her plans are to move near one of her daughters in the Union, Ky., area. “I have enough craft supplies to keep me busy for about 10 years,” she says. In addition, she plans to take part in a church senior group and volunteer activities. “I have enjoyed my years at the UofM,” Johnson adds. “I will miss seeing everyone.”
Nevels Accepts Eye of the Tiger Award When Jeff Nevels, instructor in the School of Accountancy, attended the Memphis Tigers vs. Navy Midshipmen game late last year, he proudly accepted the Eye of the Tiger Award at halftime. Nevels is a favorite among students and colleagues, widely regarded as an “inspiring professor” in accounting. Since 2014, FCBE has been proud to have a faculty member with Nevels’ experience.
Jeff Nevels accepts Eye of the Tiger Award with Anita Vaughn (left), Past President of the University of Memphis National Executive Board of Directors, Pouncer, and Thomas Banning (right), Faculty Senate President and a Professor in Engineering.
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Who to cheer for was a challenge at the game, since Nevels served in the Navy, most recently as detailer/comptroller for Navy Personnel Command in Millington. While Memphis rallied from a 13-point deficit to prevail 35-23 over Navy, Nevels felt loyal to both teams.