Shawnee State University names Dr. Mark Mirabello Faculty Emeritus

Shawnee State University Board of Trustees has awarded Dr. Mark Mirabello with Faculty Emeritus recognition following his retirement from the university. A professor of Social Sciences, Dr. Mirabello was with the university for 37 years.

“Nearly every student in the last four decades has had the pleasure of learning from Dr. Mirabello,” said SSU President Eric Andrew Braun. “As a professor, he made himself accessible to students and found ways to engage the entire campus community through workshops and events outside of the classroom. As a researcher, he developed a national reputation and represented himself as an authority on behalf of Shawnee State through publications, presentations, and media appearances. Dr. Mirabello remains an advocate of the highest order for SSU and our students.”

Starting at SSU the year after the university became a four-year institution, Dr. Mirabello was one of two faculty members who established the Bachelor of Arts in History program within the Department of Social Sciences. Enjoying conversation and comradery with his students and fellow professors, Dr. Mirabello routinely held office hours in the Clark Memorial Library, engaging with students enrolled in his classes as well as curious students wanting to discuss history and theory. His annual Halloween lecture, “Sorcery and Forbidden Lore”, combined the fall holiday with historical references, giving students and the campus community an exciting and timely new look into the seasonal activities.

“Jorge Luis Borges, the celebrated writer from Argentina, famously said ‘I have always imagined that Paradise will be a kind of library,’” said Dr. Mirabello. “I have had the honor of spending 37 years in another paradise, teaching at Shawnee State University. Thank you for the great honor!”

Faculty Emeritus status is a distinguished award designation bestowed to faculty members who have retired from their academic faculty position. In Shawnee State University’s 38-year history, 40 retired faculty members have received the recognition.