3 professors retire after combined 94 years

The psychology, English, and art departments are saying goodbye to three faculty members who share a combined 94 years of teaching at Cornell College. We asked these longtime faculty about their Cornell experience and what’s next for them.

Bill Dragon, psychology, 1987–2024

In its emeritus citation read at Commencement, the psychology department wrote, “Bill is an extraordinary teacher. Students rave about his ability to develop a classroom environment that enhances learning and also allows students a way to carry these discussions over into their lives after class. … By making concepts exciting, and helping students apply these ideas, each one could ‘see’ their lives a little bit differently. To grow themselves, and the community at Cornell, he would leave them with a charge, often focused around his specialty, relationships.” He taught for 37 years. 

What are your plans for retirement? The first thing I am going to do is get a hip replacement. Next, I am looking forward to going on longer walks.

What were your first impressions of Cornell? My first impression was the beautiful campus. I still pause every day to enjoy its beauty.

What Cornell traditions or quirks will you miss? Wearing purple on Wednesdays. I have quite the collection of purple shirts.

How did your teaching style change over the years? I don’t think my teaching style has changed that much. However, I find myself laughing more with the students on a daily basis.

How have students changed over the years? Same great students. I will miss them very much.

What are your favorite places on campus? My office! Next, the fireplace in the Thomas Commons.

Any advice for new faculty? Enjoy the energy of the classroom each day.

Sandy Dyas, art, 1999-2024 (25 years)

Dyas taught photography, video, and performance art for 25 years. In her tribute during a college retirement event, Professor of Art History Christina Penn-Goetsch said Dyas “was on the cutting edge early on in our department” and “has shown more than any other faculty member in our department.” She pointed to the many media that have published Dyas’ photography, including U.S. News & World Report, Vogue, Poets & Writers, The Iowa Review, The New York Times, and Newsweek. Dyas will show her work in a retrospective exhibit in Peter Paul Luce Gallery beginning Aug. 26, with receptions on Aug. 30 and during Homecoming on Oct. 5.

What are your plans for retirement? My number one plan is to prepare for the upcoming retrospective of my artwork in Luce Gallery this fall. There are plans for my family and I to undertake the big job of sorting through the house on my Dad’s farm in Jackson County. I also plan more time to reflect, think, walk, and spend time with my granddaughters.

What were your first impressions of Cornell? I like the block plan. I like how it more resembles a workshop than a semester-long class. The small class size creates an intimacy between the students and faculty, and I appreciate this.

What Cornell traditions or quirks will you miss? Just my students and my department—and McWethy Hall!

How have students changed over the years? Definitely, they have changed because of technology being at their fingertips. Many students have a difficult time staying focused because of their phones. But I will say that overall, the students I have taught are excellent learners.

Any advice for new faculty? Enjoy! It is intense but it is all about the relationships between faculty and students. It is extremely rewarding to teach here. We all get along and we do our very best because we love our students. It was very, very hard to make the retirement decision.

Leslie Kathleen Hankins, English, 1992-2024

In her emerita citation read at Commencement, her department wrote that Hankins is “a world-class scholar” whose “dedication to the field has been measured by presentations–including a plenary address–every year at the Virginia Woolf International Conference since its founding in 1991 … A public intellectual, she has shared her scholarship with broad audiences through invited talks at premier libraries and museums. As a member of the Woolf Studies Annual editorial board and past president of the International Virginia Woolf Society, she has provided invaluable service to the profession.” She taught for 32 years.

What are your plans for retirement? I hope to do the many creative books and projects I have looked forward to doing. We bought a property in North Carolina with a studio for me!

What were your first impressions of Cornell? I was deeply impressed by the power and the presence of faculty. They were the key players at the college, invested in faculty governance and respected. The administration served the faculty. 

How did your teaching style change over the years? I loved designing unique syllabi, full of new materials and projects. I designed over 100 different courses in my time. The immersive designated classroom was amazing—a chance to bring in many books and materials to share.

What are your favorite places on campus? The Van Etten Lacey House, which we urged into being, has become a wonderful hub of creative energy in the literary arts and the book arts. Foxden Press is amazing.