Ray Phillips has worked for Missouri State University and CNAS for three deans, three name changes and 42 years.
At the end of this month, Phillips retires.
CNAS is honored to hold a retirement reception April 26 from 3 – 5 p.m. It will be in Carrie’s Café, on the fourth floor of Pummill Hall.
For a couple more weeks, Phillips is the stores clerk for math and science. He serves eight different areas in Temple Hall with support services, purchase orders and purchase drafts.
He says the best part is the people. He talks about Dr. Clift Thompson who hired him, Dr. Larry Banks who gave him student workers, and finally Dr. Tammy Jahnke, who supported him in his last years.
“I would like to thank Dean Jahnke for her many years of support for Temple’s support groups,” Phillips said.
After retirement
Though we will miss him, we know there is more to life than work – and Phillips is planning to use every moment of it.
Instead of getting up and coming to campus, Phillips plans to travel the whole United States. He and his wife only have a few more states left to cover.
When he’s not traveling, he expects his four grandchildren to take up his time. His brother plans to introduce him to some new hobbies. Phillips is fine with golf but draws the line at motorcycles.
He also plans to have lunch with his 6 siblings in the area and volunteer with People Helping People Organization, Meals on Wheels, Community Kitchen and several other senior citizen outreach programs.
“I also thank all the faculty, staff and students for their friendships over the years, Phillips said. “I will always cherish my time here at MSU since I have been around for 42 years and watched it grow from SMS, SMSU to MSU. Everyday has been a new adventure and year after year of changes, and I know it is not done yet. I will miss everyone, but it is time for me to retire and start a new adventure in life.”
Though we are sad to see Ray retire, we know that he will never stop doing good in the community.