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Founding professor to retire after 37 yearsBy Joshua Owens Classes will resume this fall as usual, except without the services of long-time faculty member Sheila McCoy, professor of foreign languages. McCoy, the last remaining full-time instructor from the college's inception in 1970, when it was called Floyd Junior College, will be retiring July 31 of this year. Over her 37-year tenure at the college, McCoy has taught, experienced and even learned a lot. As a teacher proficient in English, Spanish, French and sign language, her expertise has been widely used. McCoy has observed many social changes over the years, often reflected in the evolution of school policy. �We've gone from having signs posted saying 'Do Not Spit in the Trash Cans' to being a non-smoking campus,� she said. Though some things have changed, McCoy believes that others just stay the same�or go in circles. �When I first came to the college in the hippie days of the '70s, there were people who had long purple hair. Now there are people with short purple hair,� she said. As a language teacher fresh out of college, McCoy was up for anything. �When the faculty first came, we didn't have some of the restrictions that we have now for teaching and that sort of thing, and the PE department needed more faculty members to help out with the sailing class,� McCoy said. The youthful and vivacious McCoy was recruited for PE duty without delay and was soon riding the swells on Paris Lake. �My syllabus was straightforward. If you cause me to fall in the lake, you fail,� she chuckled. Teaching is a tough profession, and McCoy was drawn to it neither for prestige nor pay; her longevity as a teacher is due solely to her love of education. �Education isn't just about a transfer of facts. It is a process of personal growth, of maturing,� she explained. She has seen students who entered school �irresponsible� but grew to be conscientious adults. Dr. Randy Pierce, GHC President, who has worked with McCoy for six years now, said he has �had a great professional relationship with her.� Pierce describes McCoy as a �caring individual,� who �is confident in who she is.�
Pierce is well aware that McCoy will be sorely missed. �We will be losing someone with 30+ years of experience in foreign language. It's hard to gauge the impact she's had on the program. This could be traumatic because she, for all practical purposes, is the foreign language program.� Dr. Renva Watterson, chair of the humanities division, which includes the language department, said that McCoy �is a fine example of tremendous dedication to one's institution in a day when one changes jobs more than ever before. This exception to the rule says so much about her impact on the institution.� Watterson added, �Her expertise, her participation in state-wide advisory groups, her experience�she's a walking textbook�that depth of understanding can never be truly replaced.�
Melissa Taylor, sophomore biology major from Armuchee and former foreign language student, fondly recalls a semester under McCoy's instruction. �Her class was definitely challenging. She's got to be smart to know that many languages.� Taylor said, �I remember when she greeted us on the first day of class. She said 'good day' to us in French and we were like 'huh?' Then she said 'Oh, you're my Spanish class.'� On a more serious note, Taylor reflected, �Not only did we learn how to speak the language, but we learned about the culture of those who speak it.�
McCoy is somewhat uncertain how retired life will pan out. �I've been working since I was 15,� she said with a shrug. Though she does not have any set plans for the future, she is pretty sure she wants to dedicate herself to something that �doesn't involve grading papers.� After all, she said, �My dogs have to eat, and I don't foresee them getting a job anytime soon.� An employee search committee has recently been created to fill the void McCoy will leave upon retiring this summer. �Her leaving creates a vacuum, but also opportunity,� said Pierce, looking ahead to the future of the language program. Needless to say, McCoy's contributions to the college are invaluable and will not be soon forgotten. Watterson offered McCoy this parting benediction on behalf of the student body, faculty, administration and local community. �For one who has given a lifetime toward her career, I believe I speak for everyone in wishing her the very best.� �I know she's given her best and her all to this college, and she is due a wonderful and enriching retirement. Her gifts are many, and I expect she'll be putting them to great use somewhere,� said Watterson. |
�I've lost both parents during my time here,� Pierce shared, �and even though the funerals were in Atlanta, she was at the funeral home on both occasions. You can't say you care any more than that.�
Watterson said that McCoy made her feel welcome from the very start of being the department chair and has made a habit of inquiring about her well-being, �letting me know, in her quiet way, that she is concerned with what's going on in others' lives.�
On the subject of her influence on the college and upcoming retirement, McCoy did not have nearly as much to say as her colleagues and students. �I wish I could think of something profound to utter, but I'm just too worn out and not smart enough,� she said and burst into laughter.