Dr. Evelyn Honaker Named Professor Emeritus

Walters State Community College bestowed its highest faculty honor Tuesday upon a charter faculty member and retired dean of business.

Dr. Evelyn Honaker was named Professor Emeritus of business by Dr. Tony Miksa, president of the college, during spring convocation.

“Dr. Honaker has earned the admiration of students, faculty, staff and other members of the college community,” Miksa said. “It is my honor to officially bestow upon her the title of professor emeritus of business.

“Dr. Honaker encouraged and oversaw significant innovation throughout the Division of Business. She has advised thousands of students and has hired and mentored many faculty members,” Miksa said.

The title of professor emeritus is bestowed upon faculty members who have shown academic excellence and distinguished institutional service. Honaker was one of the first faculty members hired before the college opened in 1970. She retired in 2014.

“I am very grateful for this award,” said Honaker. “I was fortunate to work with so many great faculty members in the Division of Business and throughout the college. Anything we accomplished was due to the efforts of many.”

Honaker led the Division of Business throughout her tenure, beginning as department chair and retiring as dean. She was a leader in collegiate business education and served as a member of the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) Two-year Degree Commission. She played a key role in developing new programs as needed in the business division. 

Honaker becomes the 13th Walters State faculty member or administrator to receive this honor. Others are Dr. Jack Campbell, president emeritus; Dr. Anne Armstrong, professor emeritus, English; Dr. Orville “Butch” Bach, professor emeritus, business; Dr. James Crawford, professor emeritus, English; the late Dr. James Ford, professor emeritus, physics; the late Dr. Lynn Gilmore, vice president emeritus, student affairs; Harold Hayes, professor emeritus, psychology; Dr. Judith Hector, professor emeritus of mathematics; Dr. Julian Jordan, vice president emeritus, business affairs; Dr. Donald Lindsey, professor emeritus, biology; the late Dr. Samuel O’Dell, professor emeritus, history; and the late Dr. Darrell Simmons, professor emeritus, technical education. 

In the picture: Dr. Evelyn Honaker, retired dean of business and professor of accounting, received Walters State’s highest faculty honor when named professor emeritus of business at Walters State Community College during spring convocation. From left are Dr. Donna Seagle, vice president of academic affairs; Honaker; Dr. Tony Miksa, president of the college.