College faculty retirees: May, Newsome, Nixon, Norris, Radomski

June 3, 2021

A guest post from the College

This is the third in a five-part series honoring College faculty who have retired in 2021 and 2020. Enjoy the linked profiles, written by faculty colleagues within their departments, honoring these incredible teacher-scholars and their lasting legacies.

• Darlene R. May, Teaching Professor of Arabic
• Debbie W. Newsome, Associate Professor of Counseling and Associate Dean for Students in the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences
• Patricia “Pat” A. Nixon, Professor of Health and Exercise Science
• James “Jim” L. Norris, Professor of Mathematics & Statistics
• Teresa Radomski, Professor of Music

Wake Forest University honors Darlene R. May, Ph.D., for 14 years of service to the University and its Department of Middle East and South Asia Studies Programs; for singlehandedly establishing and regularizing the Arabic curriculum and teaching within the Middle East and South Asia Studies Program; for her compassionate and exceptional teaching and tireless mentoring of students and colleagues alike, which embody the very best of what Wake Forest offers; for her concerted efforts at making those of Muslim faith and other diverse backgrounds feel at home in this institution; for her role in promoting cross-cultural competency; and for being a delightful colleague and among some of the most popular and admired teachers.

Wake Forest University honors Debbie W. Newsome, Ph.D., for 22 years of service to the University and its Department of Counseling; for serving as a leader in the counselor education and clinical mental health counseling fields who inspired, advised and mentored numerous students and colleagues; for skillfully teaching primarily master’s level counseling courses in basic counseling skills, career counseling, appraisal procedures, statistical analysis, practicum and internships; for her dedicated service to the institution, particularly as the inaugural associate dean for students in the graduate school; for her contributions as an institutional review board chairperson and member; and for her inspiring work as an excellent, award-winning educator.

Wake Forest University honors Patricia “Pat” A. Nixon, Ph.D., for 22 years of service to the University and its Department of the Health and Exercise Science, providing devoted and valued service to the College and the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences; for serving eight years as the Director of the Health Policy Administration minor and providing extensive committee service in the College and department; for her research passion and internationally recognized scholarship in the area of pediatric exercise physiology; for her devotion to teaching and distinctive ability to challenge students and others; and for her kind and caring personality that unites individuals for a common good.

Wake Forest University honors James “Jim” L. Norris, Ph.D., for 32 years of service to the University and its Department of Mathematics and Statistics as a frequent contributor of important work in the fields of bioinformatics, statistical ecology and biostatistics; for establishing the foundation for tremendous growth in statistics on campus as the first Ph.D.-level statistician in his department; for his many collaborations with faculty and students across disciplines in research employing statistics, displaying kindness, creativity and passion; for being a caring teacher, mentor and friend to many; and for exemplifying dedication to both the Pro Humanitate and teacher-scholar ideals.

Wake Forest University honors Teresa Radomski, M.M., for 44 years of devoted service to the University and its Department of Music as a remarkable soprano, devoted teacher and prolific scholar; for training generations of young singers, giving innumerable inspiring performances of her own, studying the mechanics of the human voice and editing previously unknown operas by the 19th-century composer, Manuel Garcia; for inspiring legions of grateful students and devoted audience members; and for her contributions to the art of singing and our understanding of the history of Bel Canto opera.