Faculty Emeriti Recognition

Kerry R. Brooks

Kerry Brooks, PhD, is the former director of Urban and Regional Planning Programs at EWU and has an impressive record mentoring students for a career in the planning profession. During his career he also took an active role consulting and advising local and state planning departments, environmental planning organizations and

private firms.

While a graduate student at the University of Washington, Brooks earned both a master’s degree in urban planning (1983) and a doctorate in urban design and planning (1991). Before retiring in January, he was a professor and director of urban planning at Eastern since 2013.

During his career Brooks has been highly regarded for his teaching excellence, his contributions in research and scholarship, and his influential work in the development of learning processes, programs and curricula at Eastern. He also served as a tremendous mentor and advocate for the students who pass through his program.

Dr. Brooks has published his research consistently and extensively in a variety of academic journals, and has presented his research findings at meetings and conferences in both across the United States and abroad. Equally impressive is Brooks’ service to the planning profession and presence in the community, whether it be his support of various planning departments, environmental planning organizations, community organizations or private firms. He has and continues to serve on or chairs a wide variety of boards for professional organizations, task forces and committees. For instance, he contributed to the development of the City of Spokane Pedestrian Master Plan – a recipient of the Governor’s Smart Communities Award in 2016.

Recent accomplishments include research and publications about green infrastructure, air quality and equity, work with the Washington State Department of Transportation on Placemaking and Public Engagement for the North Spokane Corridor, and co-authorship of a textbook on planning methods. Above all, Dr. Brooks is most proud of the positive impacts his students have had on the quality of life and sustainability of the communities they serve across the globe. Terence L.D. Geyer

Terry Geyer is an alumnus and former senior lecturer of Eastern Washington University. He completed a Bachelors degree in the Engineering and Design department and stayed at Eastern to complete his Masters degree in adult education. The Engineering and Design department recognized his abilities early on and hired him as a fulltime lecturer to teach in the technology programs and to eventually direct the Applied Technology program. Over the years his broad level of skills saw him teach technology courses, repair and maintain manufacturing equipment, schedule courses for all technology programs and even fill in for a year as a fulltime academic advisor. He was an advocate for alternative energy and sustainability and served as the cochair of the Alternative Energy student club. Using his own funds, he sponsored student capstone projects related to solar and wind power generation. He grew Eastern’s single technology program with several options into multiple technology degrees which has greatly benefitted our students and increased their job prospects upon graduation. He was an integral member in the success and growth of the Engineering and Design department and has had a huge impact upon the future of our programs.

David K. Goering

Dave Goering began his EWU career in 1987 teaching as a graduate teaching assistant in the university’s Department of Mathematics. After graduation, Goering began teaching full-time in the department, where he was one of the first faculty members to earn the distinction of senior lecturer. A highly regarded teacher and as a colleague, he earned several awards for teaching excellence and was voted “the second most popular teacher at Eastern” by the Easterner readers.

Although his position did not include expectations for service and scholarship, he contributed significantly to both. Among his notable achievements was a response to an unsolved problem in the journal American Mathematical Monthly in 1997 in which proved the existence of a new type of triangle center.

Over the years, Goering gave many talks to the Spokane Mathematics Colloquium and at academic gatherings and conferences. His main areas of interests were in probability and statistics, discrete mathematics, geometry and calculus. In addition to his successful career as a mathematician and mathematics educator, Goering is also a talented musician and song writer. He has performed with numerous bands over the past six decades, and co-wrote and co-produced the CD “Pioneers” in 2010 with his band, Tower Mountain. He and his bandmates have performed numerous times at EWU at alumni dinners, football tailgate parties and other university events, often donating their time and talent to EWU.

David Goering and his wife, Sonja Peterson, are generous supporters of the EWU Foundation. The couple were one of the primary sponsors of the Christian and Kelly Hansen Data Science Scholarship, established in 2017. Thanks to their donations, this scholarship was endowed much sooner than originally planned. Roberta A. Jackson

Robbie Jackson arrived at EWU in Fall 1999 after a 15year career at the University of California Santa Barbara in the Speech and Hearing Sciences Department where she was a lecturer and clinic director. During her time in the Communication Sciences and Disorders Department, Robbie assumed the positions of Interim Department chair for two years and then continued as graduate program director until her retirement in January 2020.

Educated at several campuses of the University of California system, she began her 54-year career as a speech/ language pathologist in the Appalachian Mountains of Virginia developing an educational program for children who were developmentally disabled. She continued in the discipline working in the public schools in California; creating and managing an infant and toddler program; developing parent training programs as well as support groups for those who were brain injured. She was the founding director of a community college program for support services for students who were disabled.

Jackson’s clinical research interests have been centered assessment and management of communication disorders related to speech sounds as well as voice. She has been involved in the Successful Stuttering Management Program at EWU since 2002 and continues as co-director.

In addition to Eastern, Jackson held positions at California State University, Long Beach; University of California, Santa Barbara; California Lutheran University as well as at Washington State University. Her joy has been to be able to educate 4,500 individuals in the field of Communication Sciences and Disorders.

Dean B. Kiefer

Dean Kiefer came to Eastern in September 2001 as an Assistant Professor and retired in June 2021 as a Professor of Finance. Prior to his entry into higher education, he accumulated over 25 years of business experience. He started his career as a chemical engineer and subsequently worked extensively in budgeting and forecasting, financial analysis, and strategic planning. Along the way, he earned a Ph.D. in Financial Economics, an MBA in Finance, and an MA in Economics to complement his Bachelor of Engineering. He earned and continues to maintain a CFA charter and has served as a former president of the CFA Society of Spokane. He also sat on the Spokane Employees Retirement System Board for several years until his retirement. Over his career, he has published papers on corporate finance, investment valuation, portfolio management, and capital budgeting, often collaborating with other professors, investment management professionals and students.

He served as a department chair for the Management Department when it included Finance, Management, Marketing and later as the chair of the Finance and Marketing Department when the College of Business restructured. Over the years, he served on the Faculty Senate, the Research and Scholarship Committee, the College of Business and Public Administration MBA Committee and numerous other college and department committees. He also worked diligently to improve the MBA and undergraduate Finance curricula and developed several courses to address areas that would help students gain broader, deeper knowledge in their chosen fields.

Kiefer thoroughly enjoyed the classroom and one of the greatest pleasures of his teaching career was watching his students enjoy success and increasing responsibility in their chosen fields. He feels that “watching the light come on” is the greatest reward any teacher receives. Many of his students now hold senior positions with their employers and keep in touch. He now looks forward to new interests and experiences in a long, happy retirement. Jane M. Lane

Jane Lane earned a BA in Romance Linguistics (1974) at University of Washington, a Secondary Mathematics Teacher Certification (1994) at University of Great Falls and an MS in Mathematics (1998) at Montana State University. She also completed ABD coursework towards the PhD in Mathematics Education from Washington State

University.

Mrs. Lane joined EWU as a Lecturer of Mathematics in 1998 as was appointed as Director of Developmental Mathematics a year later, a role she continued until her retirement in 2014. In September, 2010, she was promoted to Senior Lecturer.

During her service at EWU, Mrs. Lane taught a wide range of courses. These include developmental mathematics courses, mathematics content courses for prospective teachers, and the graduate methods course sequence Math 521,522,523 that was required for all Mathematics graduate students with service appointments. Mrs. Lane was wellqualified to teach this graduate sequence, since she had completed all the courses for the PhD in Mathematics Education.

During her service in the Department of Mathematics, Mrs. Lane continually sought to make changes in the Developmental Mathematics Program that would facilitate students’ learning. Her extensive research in ways to deliver placement testing and developmental courses led the Department of Mathematics to adopt an Adaptive Learning Program that permitted students to learn at their own pace, while also having the opportunity to work in a setting where teachers and teaching assistants were available for assistance. Advisors and administrators had high praise for the work done by Mrs. Lane in the area of placement testing and adaptive learning.

Mrs. Lane was well-respected by faculty and administrators across the University, and her contributions in the area of teaching developmental mathematics have had a long-term positive effect.

Heather R. McKean

After a 34-year career, Heather McKean, senior associate faculty member in EWU’s Department of Biology and Eastern alumna (’75, ’83), will retire this spring. McKean’s legacy at EWU includes developing a wellrespected science education program, organizing Science Olympiad competitions, generating more than $2.8 million in grants to support students and science education, and classroom contributions that advanced the educations hundreds of biology teachers.

Her own career began as a secondary science teacher. Using that experience, at EWU McKean developed the BAE in biology/secondary science education for future high school teachers, and the BAE in natural science for future elementary and middle school teachers. Both programs are premised on the idea that science teachers must have a strong foundation in their subject.

As a supervisor for regional, state and national Science Olympiad competitions, McKean has brought these competitions to Eastern every other spring. In 2000, she brought the National Science Olympiad to EWU. More than 3,000 students participated in this event.

McKean has also been a successful in attracting extramural funding. She was instrumental, for example, in securing for EWU the Noyce Scholarship National Science Foundation grant in both 2010 and 2017; funding that increased the number of quality science teachers in low-income schools.

In addition, McKean has to her credit numerous publications, workshops, presentations and consulting projects. She has been a member of the National Association of Biology Teachers, National Science Teachers Association, Washington State Science Teachers’ Association, Washington State Science Olympiad, Regional and State Board of Directors, Teachers of Teachers of Science. Diane Marie Norell

Diane Norell ’s career with EWU spanned more than twenty-five years, beginning in 1994 as a Faculty Field Instructor in the School of Social Work, and continuing in the Department of Occupational Therapy, as semester faculty, academic fieldwork coordinator, lecturer, and senior lecturer. For fifteen years, her position was a joint appointment between EWU and Washington State University; as a faculty with Eastern and a Research Associate with WSU’s Washington Institute for Mental Health Research and Training, (WIMHRT).

Norell received a Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy (1974) from the University of North Dakota and a Master of Social Work (1982) from Eastern Washington University. Her practice area in both fields has been in public mental health and substance use/misuse systems of care. The dual role and unique lens of both occupational therapy and social work enabled her to specialize in psychiatric rehabilitation and provide an emphasis on inter-professional education to occupational therapy students.

Norell’s passion and experience enabled her to create a strong curriculum in the occupational therapy practice area of mental health. She had an innovative and effective teaching style with a desire to energize, inspire and motivate students. The use of humor, and open, collaborative dialogue resulted in consistent positive student’ responses. Beyond teaching, Norell served as an academic fieldwork coordinator. She collaborated with a vast number of regional fieldwork instructors in placement and engaged in the supervision of students during clinical internships. Her commitment to developing student placements in rural healthcare assisted the expansion of occupational therapy services to those areas.

Norell was a productive scholar during her tenure. She was a key author in several peer-reviewed journal articles; co-authored a book chapter and manuals regarding engaging clients and families in rehabilitation related to mental illness, spinal cord and traumatic brain injury; and participated as a presenter at local, national, and international conferences.

Margaret A. O'Connell

Dr. Margaret (Peggy) O’Connell joined EWU’s Department of Biology in 1991 and served as department chair from 2009-2017. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Prescott College in Arizona, studied the ecology of desert kangaroo rats for her master’s degree from Texas Tech University, and, with the support of a Smithsonian Fellowship, spent several years in Venezuela conducting her doctoral research on tropical rodent and marsupial ecology.

In addition to her extensive contributions to undergraduate and graduate education at Eastern, Dr. O’Connell has mentored numerous students through independent study projects and paid research assistantship positions.

Dr. O’Connell’s research focus is vertebrate ecology and conservation, with a focus on wildlife-habitat relationships. Over the course of her EWU career, she has published 22 scientific papers, numerous technical reports and raised over $15 million in external research funding.

Dr. O’Connell has also worked closely with Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge where her research and grant funding have helped inform the refuge decision making on diverse topics. In addition, she has served as co-director of EWU’s Turnbull Laboratory for Ecological Studies and has served as president of the Friends of Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge.

In addition to her work with the refuge, Dr. O’Connell has served as an editor of Northwest Science; on the boards of the Northwest Scientific Association, The Nature Conservancy of Washington State, and the Inland Northwest Land Conservancy; and with committees of the American Society of Mammalogists. At EWU, she has helped to guide several critical programs and initiatives. Her most enduring contribution has been serving on the McNair Scholars Selection Committee/Advisory Board since the inception of program at EWU in 1997.

The university has recognized Dr. O’Connell’s contributions on numerous occasions. In addition to several CSTEM chair, dean’s excellence and university merit awards, she was honored with the EWU Trustee’s Medal in 2006. Jodi Patterson

Professor Jodi Patterson achieved emeritus standards of excellence in teaching, intellectual contribution, and service to university, college, and department throughout her career at EWU. Jodi was promoted to Associate Professor in 2017 and to Full Professor in 2021. During her years at EWU, Professor Patterson was a beloved teacher of Art Education and an active artist.

Professor Patterson was an amazing professor with a passion for teaching and art, and she taught her students how art benefits teaching, learning, and living a full life. She taught visual art and world geography for 15 years in the public school system, moved to teaching at the university level in 2000, and joined EWU in 2013. She served as the director of the Art Education program, as Art Department Chair, and on numerous committees, such as college and department Assessment committees. Jodi exhibited her work in over 100 galleries and museums across the U.S.A as well as internationally in Budapest, London, and Paris. She served as an inaugural co-editor of “Artizein: Arts & Teaching Journal” and published dozens of essays in a variety of scholarly journals. Jodi traveled to over 30 countries, photographed nearly 300 waterfalls, and once traveled around the world in seven days to photograph key UNESCO sites. Her passion and love for life was obvious and she was always working to make a positive impact. The care that she brought to EWU and the Art Department will be greatly missed.

Barbara M. Peregoy

Barbara Peregoy’s professional career at Eastern began in 2001 when she transitioned from being a fulltime clinical audiologist in private practice to being an instructor of audiology. She developed and taught several courses for the Communication Science and Disorders undergraduate program. Her role as an instructor for Eastern included clinical education for the University Hearing and Speech Clinic. As the sole clinical audiologist in the cooperative program with Washington State University, Peregoy supervised graduate students acquiring their required audiology hours in pursuit of their Certification in Clinical Competence.

Peregoy earned her Doctor of Audiology from Arizona School of Health Science (2006). She holds a Master of Arts in Audiology from Western Washington University, and a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Disorders from Eastern Washington University. Prior to joining Eastern in 2001, Peregoy enjoyed a long career as a clinical audiologist and consultant in private practice.

Peregoy was elected to be one of two Washington State American Speech-Language Hearing Association (ASHA) Audiology Advisory Council (AAC) members. She held this role for two consecutive 3-year terms. Even though she has retired from teaching at Eastern, Peregoy holds the institution in high regard, and is proud to say that she is an alumnus of the program.

Go Eagles! Jeffrey L. Stafford

Jeffrey L. Stafford, PhD, served EWU as a Professor of Organizational Communication and Leadership Studies for 32 years. He supervised over 100 graduate theses and projects, mentored countless interns, and founded the Leadership Certificate. One former student stated, “He is a superior instructor with the knowledge, the experience and the ability to assist the participants in gaining essential knowledge needed to be strong and dynamic leaders in the dynamic and changing world.” Another said, “Ya just got to like this guy. He knows his stuff and teaches it in such a way that it is exciting and interesting…”

Dr. Stafford earned his PhD in Communication and Leadership from the University of Kansas (1990) and a BS Architecture (1977) and MS Counseling & Student Personnel (1981) from Kansas State. During his time at EWU, he served as Department Chair, MSC Director, Associate Dean, and Associate Vice-Provost. He was recognized as the University Professor by Student Government, earned Dean's and University Faculty awards for Service and Teaching, received the EWU Trustees Award, and was named the NCAA Division 1 Faculty Athletic Rep Newcomer of the Year.

Stafford’s Action Research approach helps individuals and organizations strategically improve while creating a dynamic, sustainable, positive culture. Most of his work is regional, but he has presented as far away as Saudi Arabia and Japan. Stafford has been involved with many nonprofit organizations, donating time and energy to help them in achieving their mission. Reviews of his work note that he has that “rare mix of business and academic credentials that results in an effective merging of theory and practice.”

Stafford is an avid wood worker and collector of baseball cards and comic books. Having accomplished many of his career goals he still has a few left: Science Officer on a Star Ship, Imagineer for Disney, Center Fielder for the New York Yankees, and Illustrator for Marvel Comics.

Martin W. Weiser

Martin (Marty) Weiser retired as an Associate Professor after serving as Chair of the Engineering & Design Department at Eastern Washington University. He earned his BS in Ceramic Engineering from the Ohio State University and his MS and PhD in Materials Science and Mineral Engineering from the University of California at Berkeley. He then joined the Mechanical Engineering department at the University of New Mexico where he taught Materials Science, Thermodynamics, Manufacturing Engineering, and Technical Communication. Marty then joined Johnson Matthey Electronics/Honeywell Electronic Materials where he held positions in Technical Service, Product Management, Six Sigma, and Research & Development. He is an inventor on a dozen patents and patent applications and has published over 30 papers and book chapters on topics including ceramic processing, Pb-free solder development, experimental design, and biomechanics. Marty is currently serving as a mentor for several different youth rocketry groups and is the president of the local bonsai society.