Please join the Department of Teaching and Learning and the College of Education and Human Development at a retirement reception honoring Professor Emeritus Yvonne Spies Hanley from 3 to 5 p.m. Thursday, May 3, in the Education Building Grand Lobby. She will retire at the end of the spring 2012 semester.

Hanley earned her undergraduate degrees in English and library sciences and a master’s degree in library science from UND. She became a member of the UND faculty in 1977, when she was hired in Library Science Department, which was a part of Human Resources and Development (HRD). In 1995, when HRD closed, she moved to the Education Department and has held a joint appointment with both the Chester Fritz Library and the College of Education and Human Development since. Throughout the entire 35 years of her career at UND, she has taught Survey of Children’s Literature every term. When asked about this, Yvonne replied with a smile, “Who cannot have fun with children’s books?” Thirty-five years worth of students benefited from her positive attitude and expertise and now feel the same way. Her impact on present and future teachers has been profound.

Hanley and her husband, Jim, a retired teacher, have been married for 43 years. They intend to continue to make Grand Forks their primary home, but have also purchased a condo in Arizona to live near their two daughters and four of their six grandchildren. Please join us in thanking Yvonne for her 35 years of service, teaching, and research at UND and in the Grand Forks community. We wish her well in her retirement.