Elaine Denman Recktenwald Honored with Emeritus Professor Status Posthumously
Elaine Denman Recktenwald has been posthumously conferred the title of Professor Emerita by the Terra State Community College Board of Trustees.
The College’s administration received a formal recommendation for the nomination of Elaine Denman Recktenwald for Emeritus Status. Elaine retired from the college in 2007. Vice President Bill Taylor nominated her and reported on her distinguished career as a full professor teaching English and speech at Terra State, spanning more than thirty-five years. She touched the lives of countless students and peers. She and her husband participated and led numerous community groups, and in her free time, she enjoyed playing competitive Duplicate Bridge with her friends.
Taylor shared, “Elaine’s extensive knowledge and enthusiasm infused her relationships with students as she guided them through communication courses, especially composition and effective speaking. Her dedication to promoting growth for faculty peers and staff was equally passionate, as she served as chair of the professional development committee for many years.”
Elaine also served on the Terra College Foundation Board beginning in 2000 until her passing in December 2021. Her husband, Fred Recktenwald, served on the College Board of Trustees from 2003 to 2008 and on the Terra College Foundation Board from 2000 to 2008, serving as Foundation Board Chair from 2001 to 2002. Together, they established the Elaine Denman and Fred Recktenwald Scholarship Endowment Fund in 2009.
“It is with great appreciation and joy that we are able to honor Elaine in this way,” said Dr. Ronald Schumacher, president at Terra State, “and we thank Fred for his continued support of Terra State.”
The Emeritus Title is an honorary title granted in recognition for outstanding service and is reserved for a full-time employee who has served continuously at Terra State Community College for at least 15 years of service, 10 of those years as continuous full time, and has retired from Terra State Community College or has left the service of the Terra Board of Trustees with seven or more years of service.