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Retirement Closes 41-Year Career Educating Others
Some of Dr. Dunkley’s church members from Allen Temple AME Church, who attended the retirement celebration are on the front row, from left to right: Casey Curry, Samantha Crews, Paul Dunkley, husband of the honoree, Dr. Cora Dunkley, the honoree, Patricia Hilliard, and Brenda Mount. Shown standing are: Daniel Lee, Captain Bruce Curry, Virginia Bland, Jacqueline Herbert, Patrick Crews, Cynthia Jones, Sara Howard, Linda Gillon, Alfonso Hillard, Zannie Mount, Dr. Deborah Rose, and Hiram Jones.
Dr. Cora Phelps Dunkley, (center) is shown with family members from left to right: her son, Eric Dandy, daughter, Dr. Tonja Dandy, Dr. Dunkley, daughter, Shevon Coles, and her husband, Paul Dunk- ley.
Last month, family mem- bers, church members, co- workers, and friends gathered at Tampa Palms Golf & Coun- try Club Resort for the retire- ment celebration of Dr. Cora Phelps Dunkley. Dr. Dunkley, a longtime Tampa educator, retired after 41 years of service.
Her most recent role was to serve as an Associate professor at the University of South Florida, School of Information. She has served more than 13 years in that department at the university.
Her family members, hus- band, Paul Dunkley, son, Eric Dandy, and daughters, Dr. Tonja Dandy, both of Nashville, Tennessee, and Shevon D. Coles, of Mont- gomery, Alabama, were among those assembled at the cele- bration.
The Honorable Judge Barbara Twine-Thomas served as the Mistress of Cere- mony for the event. Others who spoke at the event in- cluded: Dr. James An- drews, Director of the USF School of Information; her pastor, and Rev. Dr. David W. Green, Sr.
Ms. Donna Douglas,
Rev. Dr. David W. Green, Sr., Senior Pastor at Allen Temple AME Church, ad- dressed the audience at the re- tirement celebration for Dr. Cora Phelps Dunkley.
President of Gamma Theta Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Dr. Samuel L. Wright, Sr., retired educator, and Paul Alexis, her former student, all sang solos at the occasion.
Dr. Dunkley is a lifelong educator, researcher, and ad- vocate for literacy and diver- sity in children’s literature. She is a published author in profes- sional journals and scholarly reviews. During her career, Dr. Dunkley has been the re-
Dr. James Andrews, Director of the University of South Florida School of Information, wished Dr. Cora Phelps Dunkley the best on her retirement.
Dr. Cora Phelps Dunkley, left, recently retired after serving 40 years as an educator. The Honorable Judge Barbara Twine-Thomas served as the Mistress of Ceremony at the Retirement Celebration.
cipient of numerous grants, in- cluding more than $300,000 earmarked for bringing in- creased library services to un- derserviced populations.
Speaking engagements have taken her to locations through- out the country as well as in South Africa, and Oxford, Eng- land.
Her favorite quote comes from Chaucer. It reads, “Filled with moral virtue (is her) speech; and gladly would (she) learn and gladly teach.”
Members of the University of South Florida faculty and friends were on hand for the retirement celebration of Dr. Cora Phelps Dunkley. Shown from left to right are: Pat Dedicos, Diane Austin, Dr. Kathleen McCook, Dr. Dunkley (honoree), Dr. Henrietta M. Smith, and Dr. Anna Perrault. Shown on the second row are Dr. Richard Austin, Bill McCook, and Robin Smith.
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