Juanita L. Garcia Ed. D., Emeritus Professor (Ed. D. Nova University, 1975) Life Span Human Development; Elder Abuse; Aging and Sexuality.

Dr. Juanita Garcia joined USF in 1966. During her career, she made many innovative and important contributions to the field of Gerontology. During her tenure in the Department of Gerontology, now the School of Aging Studies , she taught 19 different courses and won three Outstanding Teaching Awards. She also developed many of the School’s mainstay courses still taught in the Gerontology curriculum. In terms of research and scholarship, Dr. Garcia completed innovative work on a variety of topics, with special concentration in the areas of elder abuse, aging and sexuality, cultural diversity – particularly her research on Hispanic caregiving. She served on many Boards and Advisory Councils for groups such as Foster Grandparents Program.

Dr. Garcia was widely known as a mentor, particularly for female and ethnic minority students and as a Hispanic woman and ardent feminist, she did much to raise the consciousness of our students and faculty toward issues of justice and equity. Today she still has ongoing writing projects including work focused on aging and sexuality.

Because of these many contributions, Dr. Garcia received the honor of designation as Emeritus Faculty upon her retirement in 2001.

Wiley Mangum, Ph.D., Emeritus Professor (Ph.D., University of Southern California, 1971) Ethics and Aging; Research Methods; Social Gerontology; Housing for the Elderly

Dr. Wiley Mangum joined USF in 1972.  During his career, he made important contributions not only to our programs at USF, but also to the field of gerontology.  At USF Dr. Mangum taught a broad range of courses including: Introduction to Gerontology, Sociocultural Aspects of Aging, Research Methods, Legal/Ethical Issues, and Housing for the Elderly. Dr. Mangum was a major force in the development of curriculum and programs at the undergraduate, graduate and Ph.D. in Aging Studies level. He served as both Associate Chair and Interim Chair in the Department of Gerontology. 

In terms of his national contributions, Dr. Mangum has served in leadership roles in the Association for Gerontology in Higher Education (AGHE) in such capacities as Editor of AGHExchange, served on the Executive, Publications, Membership, Public Policy and Long Range Planning Committees of AGHE. He Chaired the Local Arrangements Committee for the 1989 meeting in Tampa and was elected as President of Sigma Phi Omega, the National Gerontology Academic and Professional Society and also served as Treasurer of this organization. He was very active in Southern Gerontological Society (SGS) and was co-editor of the Journal of Applied Gerontology and was Chair of the Research Committee and Bylaws Committee for SGS. He published numerous times in The Gerontologist, Educational Gerontology, and Gerontology and Geriatrics Education. He also contributed to the development of the 1990 Standards and Guidelines for Gerontology programs.

Because of these many contributions, Dr. Mangum received the honor of designation as Emeritus Faculty upon his retirement in 2003.

Thomas A. Rich, Ph.D. Emeritus Professor (Ph.D., University of Florida, 1957) Aging and Mental Health; Gerontology Education

Dr. Thomas Rich joined USF in 1961.  During his career, he made important contributions to the field of Gerontology. Today, he e is still known as a legend at the University of South Florida because he was the pioneer responsible for the existence of the Department of Gerontology, now the School of Aging Studies . Dr. Rich devoted much of his efforts in the development of a Center for Applied Gerontology, and in serving as Co-Editor of the Journal of Applied Gerontology, he has left a legacy of emphasis on application of gerontological theory and research to applied problems. Dr. Rich also was a pioneer in the development of curriculum and standards related to applied gerontology. These materials continue to be of great value even today. His efforts to gain training grant funds allowed an entire generation of gerontologists to pursue graduate degrees at USF. These alumni are now running applied gerontological programs throughout Tampa Bay and other areas of the country.

Dr. Rich also had a national impact on the field of Gerontology and his long list of publications remain important references. Over the years, Dr. Rich was very active in professional organizations in gerontology including AGHE, SGS, and GSA. He held a number of important offices in AGHE, including serving as Chair of the Committee on Standards for Degree Programs in Gerontology, and a member of the Executive Committee of AGHE. He was also involved in activities including the White House Conference on Aging, and service on major editorial boards.

Because of these many contributions, Dr. Rich received the honor of designation as Emeritus Faculty upon his retirement in 1994.

Sue Saxon, Ph.D. Emeritus Professor (Ph.D., Florida State University, 1963) Physical Changes and Aging; Gerontological Counseling; Health Promotion and Aging

Dr. Sue Saxon joined USF in 1963. During her career she made important contributions to the teaching mission of the School of Aging Studies at USF and in the field of gerontology.  Her impact on our students, our curriculum, and on the values of our faculty and department, are long-lasting. Dr. Saxon began as an Assistant Professor and rose to the rank of Professor in 1972. Dr. Saxon taught a variety of courses in the School, but her claim to fame was in teaching both graduate and undergraduate courses in “Physical Change and Aging”. Dr. Saxon’s courses were famous for being rigorous and of practical value. Her reputation as one of the finest instructors at USF is borne out not only by many testimonials, but also by course evaluation statistics. Dr. Saxon was always helpful, friendly, and available to students for consultation about their courses, and their career plans. She received the Outstanding Undergraduate Teaching award, and the TIP award. Dr. Saxon developed and taught a course on a “hot topic” in gerontology—“Aging and Health Promotion”—that exposed students to all of the latest work on exercise and other health behaviors that promote successful aging. She also taught her famous Physical Change course via distance learning, a tribute to her flexibility (and to her patience).

Dr. Saxon and her colleague Dr. Mary Jean Etten wrote a highly praised textbook, “Physical change and aging”, that went through three editions and was named Book of the Year by the American Journal on Nursing in 1995. She was also an active contributor to numerous edited books on aging. Her work included such topics as pain management in the elderly, retirement planning, and nutritional issues.

Because of these many contributions, Dr. Saxon received the honor of designation as Emeritus Faculty upon her retirement in 2002.