In Memoriam

Richard “Dick” Atnally, former dean of the School of Humanities and professor of English literature, died June 14, 2016. Atnally joined the University as associate dean of the humanities division in 1975 and served as dean of the School of Humanities from 1978 to 1986, when he joined the English department. The author of seven books, he also founded and served as director of the Humanities Honors Program, one of the oldest such programs in New Jersey, which today is a track within the Honors College.

During his 25 years on campus, he shared with students his love of poetry, literature, and the history of ideas, and involved his students in making films about significant poets of Greenwich Village and Paterson including William Carlos Williams and Allen Ginsberg. He was honored with a Faculty Service Award in 2002, and returned to campus with his wife Mary in 2011 to help celebrate the 35th anniversary of the Humanities Honors Program and to reunite with many of his former students.

Gillian Hettinger '79, a retired high school English teacher and long-time adjunct in the English Department, calls Atnally “a passionate and inspiring teacher. I was one of the first cohort of the Humanities Honors Program which he founded—it changed my life. (He) was endlessly generous with his time and his ardent support of students…he was a true scholar.”

George Dixon, retired associate professor of mathematics, died March 11, 2016. He was 90. Dixon joined the University in 1960 after ten years as a high school mathematics teacher. During his 28-year tenure on campus, he was the advisor to the Math Club and also played clarinet with the University’s Concert Band. He retired in 1988. For years, Dixon played the clarinet and saxophone with a number of local bands, and sang tenor in various church choirs. A U.S. Navy veteran of World War II, he held a master’s degree in math education from Teachers College, Columbia University.

James Manning, professor emeritus of kinesiology, died in April 2016. Manning, who joined the University in 1984, served as director of the University’s Human Performance Lab and was an active researcher in the fields of exercise and health, including projects funded by the National Institutes of Health. He authored numerous articles that appeared in journals such as the Journal of Athletic Training, and was named a fellow of the American College of Sports Medicine. Manning, who retired in 2014, held a doctorate in exercise physiology from the University of Maryland.

“I had the privilege of having Dr. Manning teach and mentor me throughout my undergraduate and graduate program,” says Greg Hatzisavvas '08, MS '12, coach of the University’s bowling team, who saw Manning during a trip to Las Vegas. “It’s very special when you have a professor that you look forward to spending time with like I did with Dr. Manning. He cared about people.”

Wilber “Will” Myers, retired professor of health and physical education, who also served as head men’s soccer coach and director of athletics, died June 27, 2016. He was 87. A U.S. Army veteran of the Korean War, Myers saw action on the front lines and received numerous awards, including three Bronze Stars. He joined the University in 1962 after a seven-year career as a high school physical education teacher. During his 30 years on campus, Myers served as head men’s soccer coach for 25 years, and led his teams to 16 winning seasons, nine post-season tournaments, three conference championships, and three ECAC championships. He was named Coach of the Year in 1974, 1977, and 1981. Following his retirement in 1992, Myers remained connected to the University through his involvement with the Retired Faculty Association and his attendance at various University sporting events.

Alphonse V. Sully, retired professor of languages and cultures, died March 12, 2016. He was 95. Following service in the military during World War II, Sully attended New York University. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in 1947 after earning First Team All-American honors in saber fencing and was selected for the Olympic fencing squad. He continued his education and earned graduate degrees from New York University and Columbia University. Sully joined the University in 1962 and taught romance languages for nearly 40 years before his retirement in 1991. He coached the University’s men’s fencing team to 19 winning seasons from 1962 to 1982 and was inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame in 1996.