Innovision Spring 2021

24 | INNOVISION MAGAZ INE SPRING 2021 | 25 Dr. Victor Massad, an Associate Professor in the Depar tment of Business Administration, will retire from Kutztown University on August 27, 2021. Dr. Massad joined the KU marketing faculty in 2009, teaching courses in Consumer Behavior, E-CommerceMarketing, Personal Selling, and Principles ofMarketing, among others. “I worked at a total of 6 colleges and universities through my academic career. Of all the places I have been, the students at KU are by far the most optimistic of the bunch.” As he looks back on his time with KU, Dr. Massad shares, “I worked at a total of 6 colleges and universities through my academic career. Of all the places I have been, the students at KU are by far the most optimistic of the bunch. That always seemed paradoxical to me because our students are also the least privileged of any I have taught. This student optimism is the thing I will remember most about my years at Kutztown. It is the thing that kept me looking forward to coming back through some of the darkest years of my life, including the year my late wife lost her battle with cancer. These kids were always there with an encouraging word, and I could see they carried with them an innate sense of hope, and a conviction that things would turn out fine. That is what kept me coming back, and that is what I will miss most about the place.” VICTOR MASSAD Dr. Christine Lottes, a Professor in the Sport Management and Leadership Studies department, will retire on June 30, 2021, marking the end of 45 years teaching in higher education and a 29-year career at Kutztown University. Professor Elizabeth Rogol, chair of the Sport Management and Leadership Studies department, observes, “Dr. Lottes’ retirement is going to create a large void in the department and for our students. She is a passionate, dedicated professional who has spent her career faithfully committed to developing students, mentoring new departmental faculty, and loyally serving the department and the university. She modelled integrity. Her effervescence will be missed.” “She is a passionate, dedicated professional who has spent her career faithfully committed to developing students, mentoring new departmental faculty, and loyally serving the department and the university.” In reflecting on her retirement, Dr. Lottes shares: I graduated in May of 1976 from Valparaiso University. Three months later, I was sitting in a department meeting as a new “hire” at Taylor University feeling very out-of-place and way too young! They had a part-time position and, with college teaching as my professional goal, I was a 22-year-old who was thrilled to be there! Forty-five years later, I found myself sitting in my last department meeting at KU, flashing back on my first meeting in 1976 and the years in between. I have been blessed by God to be able to spend my professional life, teaching and coaching with inspiring colleagues and wonderful students. My greatest joys have come from interacting with students inside and outside of the classroom. Whether it is challenging a freshman to make the necessary changes to be successful in college or talking to a senior on the verge of graduating and just as scared about changes to come, I have been honored to be part of these students’ lives. CHRISTINE LOTTES After 32 years as KU faculty, Dr. Abdul Sraiheen will retire on June 30, 2021. Dr. Sraiheen, an Associate Professor in the Department of Business Administration, joined KU faculty in 1989. In addition to teaching courses in economics, statistics, and business information systems, he has provided invaluable service to the Department of Business Administration, including most recently as an Assistant Chair and prior to that the Economics Discipline Coordinator. “I could not have asked for a better mentor than Abdul.” Dr. Fred Esposto, Associate Professor and Economics Discipline Coordinator, shares, “When I arrived at KU, I could not have asked for a better mentor than Abdul. Whether it was explaining the University’s class management system, directing me through the ins and outs of advising, helping me with my tenure application, or just being there to answer the endless questions of a “newbie,” I could always count on his seemingly unlimited knowledge. Supporting his colleagues, however, only partially reflected his overall dedication to KU and its students. It was also demonstrated by his readiness to serve in countless roles from committee member to department chair. His dedication inspired me and many others who came after him.” ABDUL SRAIHEEN COLLEGE OF BUSINESS RETIREES