Quite often when I run into alumni or other friends of the SOE, they ask if so-and-so is still there, and who is now doing such-and-such. Three of those people — Professors of Education Arthur Ellis and Bill Nagy, and Associate Professor of Educational Administration and Supervision Bill Prenevost, are retiring from Seattle Pacific to explore new chapters in their life journey.
After 23 years at SPU, Nagy will be retiring from his role as professor of education. Nagy is an internationally renowned expert in the area of vocabulary acquisition and instruction. He has been recognized by his guild as an outstanding scholar, culminating in his induction into the Reading Hall of Fame. He was also named 2015 Notable Vocabulary Researcher by the Vocabulary SIG (special interest group) of the American Educational Research Association. Bill is an exceptional instructor, advisor, and mentor to both faculty and graduate students in the School of Education. In all his dealings, Bill has modeled Christian virtues unswervingly — especially humility, generosity, kindness, and respect for all. Many of us view him as a spiritual advisor.
Ellis has served the School of Education for the past 33 years. He retires from SPU at the end of the current academic year. Ellis was one of the architects of our first doctoral program. He also created the Center for Global Curriculum Studies in the School of Education, partnering with academic institutions around the world and providing cross-cultural opportunities for students and faculty. Art has published extensively in the area of curriculum and instruction. His books have been translated into Russian, Chinese, and Korean, reaching audiences beyond the English-speaking world.
Prenevost has been in education for 50 years and is retiring after 13 years of service to the School of Education. Having served in a variety of roles (superintendent, assistant superintendent of instructional services, high school and junior high school principal, and assistant principal/athletic director) in the K–12 world, Prenevost has “been there, done that.” The SOE in general and Educational Leadership Program in particular benefited from the educational experience he brought to us. Prenevost is deeply engaged in school leadership and heavily involved in executive leadership organizations and associations across the state.
They also say “once a Falcon, always a Falcon,” so Art, Bill, and Bill, you may be moving on to other things but we are not completely letting go of you! We recognize that you will continue to make valuable contributions to the SOE, and that makes the parting more sweet than bitter.
