Apr 24, 2023 - Student leaders in Union’s Delta-Psi chapter of Phi Alpha Theta History Honor Society hosted a surprise retirement party on April 24, 2023, for Dr. Stephen Carls, who has served as the chapter’s faculty advisor for 40 years. Delta-Psi Vice President Breanna Edmiston and President-elect Makayla Baker organized the gathering which caught Carls completely by surprise. Baker presented him with a collage of photos from his years as faculty advisor to Union’s Phi Alpha Theta chapter and Edmiston gave him a collection of greeting cards from attendees wishing him well in his retirement.
Edmiston also presented Carls with a small bag of Peeps. Peeps are an important symbol for the Delta-Psi chapter since both had their start in 1953. Indeed, the Delta-Psi chapter is known as the Peeps chapter among Phi Alpha Theta chapters across Tennessee and beyond. In addition, Edmiston served homemade Peeps-topped cupcakes as part of the party’s refreshments.
Some 25 people attended the celebration of Carls’s career, including faculty members, students, and his wife Alice-Catherine, who took photos of the event.
Attendees at the Phi Alpha Theta-sponsored surprise retirement party for Dr. Stephen Carls wait for his arrival on April 24, 2023. They are (left to right) Makayla Baker, John Garland, Jonathan Sanders, Chris Young, Austin Alexander (directly behind Young in turquoise shirt), Noah Kea, Anna Guelcher, Abigail Gilbert, Breanna Edmiston (standing), Joy Brown, Sophia Keskeys, Nicholas Palmer, Jacob Frederick, and Dr. David Thomas.
Dr. Stephen Carls (standing) expresses his surprise about the retirement party organized in his honor on April 24, 2023. Phi Alpha Theta President-elect Makayla Baker prepares to present him with a collage of photos from his years as the faculty advisor to Union's Delta-Psi chapter.
Dr. Stephen Carls thanks Phi Alpha Theta President-elect Makayla Baker on April 24, 2023, for the framed photo collage depicting scenes from his many years as the faculty advisor to Union's Delta-Psi chapter.
Dr. Stephen Carls opens a book-shaped box containing cards of well wishes from attendees at his surprise retirement party on April 24, 2023.
Dr. Stephen Carls displays one of the retirement cards from the book-shaped box at his surprise retirement party on April 24, 2023.
Dr. Stephen Carls holds a small package of Peeps bunnies given to him at his surprise retirement party on April 24, 2023. Union's Delta-Psi chapter of Phi Alpha Theta is known as the Peeps chapter across Tennessee and beyond.
Dr. Stephen Carls (center) talks with Union student Noah Kea (right) at his surprise retirement party on April 24, 2023. Phi Alpha Theta member Christian Young (left) also enjoys the fun.
Attendees at the surprise retirement party for Dr. Stephen Carls pose for a photo at the party's end. They are (left to right) Dr. Sean Evans, Dr. Keith Bates, Joy Brown, Sophia Keskeys, Grace Sarver, Katie King, Abigail Gilbert, Breanna Edmiston, Makayla Baker, Dr. Stephen Carls, Dr. Phil Davignon, Austin Alexander, Jonathan Sanders, Jacob Frederick, Noah Kea, Dr. Henry Allen, Dr. David Thomas, Nicholas Palmer, and John Garland.