Honoring the Legacy of Alison McCoy and Sasha Miao

On August 30, 2023, our department bid a bittersweet farewell to two remarkable individuals who have been the backbone of our administrative support team for many years: Alison McCoy (14 years) and Sasha Miao (16 years). As they embarked on their well-deserved retirement journey, faculty, staff, and students (old and new) came together as a department to celebrate their dedication, contributions, and the indelible mark they’ve left on all of us.

Alison and Sasha’s tenure with our department was nothing short of extraordinary. They were not merely administrators; they were the friendly faces that greeted us every day, the voices that provided guidance, and the ones who effortlessly made our department run like a well-oiled machine. Their commitment to excellence and their genuine care for both students and faculty was evident in every task they undertook.

The retirement celebration was a testament to the profound impact Alison and Sasha had on our department. The room was filled with a mix of emotions (laughter to tears), and there was an abundance of warm hugs shared among students, faculty, and former colleagues. Several familiar faces returned to the department to bid farewell, including Professors David Dickey, Dan Soloman, and Anastasios (Butch) Tsiatis. It was a true testament to the enduring relationships they’ve built over their many years in the department.

During the reception, several faculty members took the opportunity to express their gratitude and wish Alison and Sasha well in their retirement. Our new Department Head, Dr. Kimberly Sellers, acted as the emcee and we heard well wishes from Dr. Marie Davidian, previous Department Head Dr. Len Stefanski, Business Manager Josh Agner, Dr. Wenbin Lu, and PhD student Xiaoxia Champon. Additionally, past Department Heads Montserrat (Montse) Fuentes (now, President, St. Edward’s University) and Sastry Pantula (now Dean, College of Natural Sciences, California State University, San Bernardino) provided video remarks that were played for the audience. Everyone’s speeches were touching, filled with memories of shared moments and gratitude for the invaluable support they provided. 

As we move forward as a department, we thank Alison and Sasha for educating the next generation of staff members with their institutional knowledge. They have not only been integral to our department’s daily operations but have also been an essential part of our department’s heart and soul. We wish them well in their new adventures and hope that retirement brings them the joy, relaxation, and fulfillment they deserve. They left behind big shoes to fill, but also left behind a wealth of inspiration and warmth that will guide us in the years to come. We thank them, and forever maintain them as part of our departmental family.