Faculty retiring with emeritus status

Larkin Higgins taught a wide spectrum of art courses including drawing, painting, sculpture, photography, interdisciplinary arts and Earth, Art & Spirituality.

Photo: Brian Stethem

(THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. – May 11, 2020) Seven California Lutheran University faculty members with a combined total of more than 200 years of service are retiring with emeritus status.

The Board of Regents awarded the honor to geology professor Bill Bilodeau, strategic management professor Harry Domicone, associate professor of psychology Michael Gerson, art professor Larkin Higgins, associate professor of educational leadership Janice L. Tucker, finance professor Paul Williams and English professor Joan Wines.

Motivated to study geology after the 1971 Sylmar earthquake, Bilodeau joined the faculty in 1990 and chaired the Geology Department for more than 20 years. The Thousand Oaks resident embraced a field-based approach to teaching and led travel seminars to Central America, Ecuador, Egypt, Europe, Australia and New Zealand.

Domicone joined the faculty in 1993 and taught in the traditional undergraduate, Bachelor’s Degree for Professionals and MBA programs. With a lifelong interest in global higher education, the Thousand Oaks resident played a leading role in the deep and rapid internationalization of the School of Management.

Gerson came to Cal Lutheran in 1998 and taught in the graduate programs in clinical and counseling psychology while maintaining a private practice. Students praise the Westlake Village resident’s contributions as a teacher and clinical supervisor. He is an expert in the study of domestic violence and forensic psychology.

Higgins joined the faculty 35 years ago. The Los Angeles resident taught a wide spectrum of art courses including drawing, painting, sculpture, photography, interdisciplinary arts and Earth, Art & Spirituality. Believing art majors benefit from computer skills, she set up the Art Department’s first computer graphics lab.

Tucker, a Camarillo resident, has a broad background in educational leadership with expertise in international policy, school reform and women in leadership. A champion of international education, she led doctoral seminars to Denmark, Finland, New Zealand and other countries during her 16 years at the university.

Williams joined the Cal Lutheran faculty 28 years ago after spending 20 years in management positions in marketing, finance and strategic planning for Atlantic Richfield. The Westlake Village resident has taken great pride in delivering a variety of undergraduate and graduate finance courses that are both rigorous and practical.

Arriving in 1976, Wines was the first of this year’s retirees to begin teaching at Cal Lutheran. The Thousand Oaks resident served as adviser for the Morning Glory literary publication for 24 years and helped launch the Multimedia Program, Center for Teaching and Learning, Writing Center and Math Science Upward Bound program.