Dr. Sharon Coolidge ’72 

PROFESSOR OF ENGLISH EMERITA 

HIRED IN 1977 

40 YEARS OF SERVICE 

Dr. Sharon Coolidge ’72 has served as a faculty member, department chair, Wheaton in England trip leader, vice-chair of faculty, and faculty representative on the Presidential Selection Committee when Philip Ryken ’88, one of her former English students, became president. Her favorite memory? “Working with wonderful Wheaton students, whether in class or in one-on-one times in my office.” She will continue to host “Thursday Dinners” for students in her home with her husband, Dr. Norm Ewert HON.

Dr. Jill Peláez Baumgaertner HON 

PROFESSOR OF ENGLISH AND DEAN OF HUMANITIES AND THEOLOGICAL STUDIES EMERITA 

HIRED IN 1980

37 YEARS OF SERVICE

During Dr. Jill Peláez Baumgaertner’s 37-year tenure, nothing excited her more than being in the classroom with students. “There’s nothing like the adrenaline highs of the classroom,” she notes. “But being an administrator and having a bird’s eye view of campus was phenomenal.” In the immediate future, Dr. Baumgaertner plans to write, teach “here and there,” prepare an anthology of poetry for The Christian Century, and travel to international locales including Spain and Russia.

Dr. Timothy Wilkinson HON 

PROFESSOR OF ORGANIC CHEMISTRY EMERITUS

HIRED IN 1980 

37 YEARS OF SERVICE

Dr. Timothy Wilkinson taught one of the more intimidating subjects in the sciences for 37 years: organic chemistry. Dr. Wilkinson also served as health professions chair, chemistry department chair, and he facilitated student research, which he says was a “rewarding” part of his tenure. Dr. Wilkinson says he “always appreciates hearing from alumni,” and is often “amazed” by his former students’ achievements. “I am thankful for having a small part in their success.”