Department Throws Retirement Party for Linda Cook
Thanks her for 35 Years of Service to Students

Linda Cook reminisces with the crowd

 

And from Charles Llewellyn (MPH 1980) in Tanzania: "Without you, Linda, I never would be where I am, sitting in Dar es Salaam managing the USAID Health program."

Close to 200 faculty, alumni, students, staff and friends gathered in Chapel Hill on Saturday, September September 26 to wish Linda Cook a happy retirement after 35 years as the Department's Student

Dr. Felicia Mebane and Ms. Sherry Rhodes at the party

"The outpouring of affection and admiration expressed for Linda by so many generations of students was a delight," commented Professor Allan Steckler. "If there had ever been any doubt about just how much Linda has contributed to this Department and to our students (and I'm not sure there ever was any doubt), this gathering puts into perspective exactly how significant she has been to so many."

Department Chair Jo Anne Earp agrees. "Ever since Linda told us she was retiring, I've been trying to figure out how we can compensate for her loss to the Department. Linda's time here, combined with her dedication to our students, all add up to something that goes far beyond institutional memory, far beyond just doing a job. We're talking about someone with an 'at her fingertips' knowledge of 20, 30, or 40 students per cohort times 35 cohorts plus those students' boyfriends and girlfriends or husbands and wives, plus their children and grandchildren - names, ages, where they live, what they're doing, who keeps in touch with whom. We're talking about a historical geography that spans the globe."

Dr. Barbara Israel shares a story about her HBHE days

 

Celebratory speeches from Department Chair Jo Anne Earp and Dean Barbara Rimer;

Remembrances from alumni, including Ethel Jean Jackson (MPH 1973), Barbara Israel (MPH 1978; DrPH 1982), Geni Eng (MPH 1978; DrPH 1983), Karen Moore (MPH 1991), Holly Jones (MPH 1993), Christopher Kigongo (MPH 1993), Edith Parker (MPH 1989; PhD 1995), Amy Davenport  (MPH 2005), and more;

A tribute written by Geni Eng and sung by department faculty (to the tune of "The Twelve Days of Christmas")


From Left, Ethel Jackson, Kurt Ribisl, John Hatch, Bob DeVellis, Mary Davis, and Allan Steckler

A loving and humorous tribute written and performed by members of the SHBHEs (a student band from the MPH class of 2005);


Peter, Carrie and Alex (as Linda)

A "top twelve list" from Linda's most recent student assistants: Peter Balvanz, Carrie Meier (MPH 2009), and Alex Orr; 

Reminiscences from friends, family, and fellow staff members (including Lou Asmuth, retired departmental Administrative Assistant, who flew here from Arizona to celebrate); and

 Lots of music, good food, and excellent conversation!


Current second year MPH students at the party. From left, Terence Ng, Kari Samuel, Alex Orr, Aprajita Anand, and Jennifer Nomides
 

Vera Bennett adds her wishes to the memory book

More party pictures! 

First year doctoral students Katie Harper and Ling-yin Chang

Alumnus Christopher Kigongo and 2nd year MPH student LoJuan Maring

Meg Ellenson, Lauren Toledo, Alyse Talbot, Courtney Duffy, and a friend

Singing faculty! Geni Eng (L), joined by (from left) Brenda DeVellis, Jason Smith, Deb Tate, and Ethel Jackson

Linda shares a laugh with Dr. John Hatch

Professor Geni Eng with Kellog Postdoctoral Fellows Keon Gilbert and Yvonne Ferguson.

An Alumna with Allan Steckler and Linda Cook

Alumnae Janet Smith, Dee Gray and Michele Pagnotta

Assistant Professor Suzanne Maman, Administrative Assistant Helena Mullen, and first-year MPH student Jillian Casey raise a toast to Linda