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Linda Mines and Anne Exum Named Faculty Emeriti
During Alumnae Weekend 2017, Linda Moss Mines and Anne Exum were inducted to the GPS Faculty Emeriti program.
In her welcome address at the Faculty Emeriti Induction ceremony this past Saturday, Dr. Autumn Graves, Head of School of Girls Preparatory School, invoked the wisdom of historian Henry Adams. “A teacher affects eternity; he can never tell where his influence stops.” An apt quote for two teachers who will be, as Graves said, “immortal in the history of this school.”
The first honoree was Linda Moss Mines, chair of the history and social sciences department, who will retire this summer after a teaching career of more than 40 years, 27 spent at GPS. Addressed by colleague Jessica Good, former principal of GPS Upper School, Good commended Mines for her teaching which was “never by rote” and for “professionalism at its best.” Mines’ daughter, Jessica Raz Dumitru, a GPS alumna, spoke next, commending her mother for a vast catalogue of civic service to organizations including Habitat for Humanity, Daughters of the American Revolution, Erlanger Hospital, and Key Club among others. “She was paid to do what she truly loves and that God called her to do,” said Dumitru. Mines will continue on as official historian for Chattanooga and Hamilton County.
The second honoree was Anne Exum, who has been teaching writing and grammar or editing GPS’s publications for 30 years. Exum counts the six years spent advising the GPS Honor Council as the most significant extracurricular contribution. Carol Killebrew, former GPS English teacher, honored Exum for her fairness, respect for tradition, and for being a “master of words, both poetic and prophetic.” Daughter and GPS alumna Mary Cady Bolin spoke next, appreciating the premium her mother placed on relationships. “For three decades, my mother has made girls feel as though they are each the only one in the room.” Following her retirement this summer, Exum will continue to serve as an editor through her freelance practice, Proof Positive.
In her closing remarks, Dr. Graves reminded those gathered of the GPS mission statement, to inspire “each girl to live a life of integrity and purpose--and that only happens because of people like Anne and Linda who live a life of integrity and purpose.”
Dr. Graves launched the Faculty Emeriti program during her first year at GPS to honor retiring/retired faculty for outstanding service.
GPS Faculty Emeriti
2015
Jessica Good
Betty Jo Horton
GPS Faculty Emeriti
2015
Jessica Good
Betty Jo Horton
Peggy Michaels
2016
Peggy Thomas
Suzanne Smartt
2017
Anne ExumPeggy Thomas
Suzanne Smartt
2017
Linda Moss Mines
