Midland University will say goodbye to three long-standing faculty and staff members at the end of the 2024-25 academic year.
Dr. Connie Taylor, Professor of Psychology and Applied Behavior Analysis, Becky Hotovy, Associate Professor of Nursing, and May Smith, Student Health Nurse, will each be retiring in May.
Midland thanks Connie, Becky, and May for their dedication and contribution to Midland University during their time on campus. They will be greatly missed.
Dr. Connie Taylor – Connie has been a Professor of Psychology for 27 years at Midland, as well as leading the Applied Behavior Analysis program, which became a major at Midland in 2021. She also served as the chair of the Faculty Senate for two terms and was a member of numerous committees during her tenure.
“It’s been so reinforcing to introduce students to topics, programs of study, and career opportunities they didn’t know existed,” she said. “I’ve had students choose to major or minor in Psychology or ABA after taking a class with me, and go on to become successful professionals. I’ve received emails from students years after they graduated telling me that something they learned in my class was relevant to their lives even now. That means a lot to me.”
Connie said the students she has taught over the years, along with the colleagues who have been by her side, are what she will miss most about Midland. “Working with students has helped keep me young, so I will miss that,” she said. “I will also miss my wonderful colleagues who have made this journey a lot of fun.”
In retirement, Connie would like to do more traveling and hopes to become a volunteer educator at the Henry Doorly Zoo.
Becky Hotovy – Becky served for 19 years at Midland in a variety of nursing roles, including seven years as Director of Student Health from 2006-13, and has been a Professor of Nursing for the past 12 years.
“I will be celebrating 40 years as a registered nurse this May, and nearly half of those years have been at Midland,” she said. “I feel truly fortunate to have spent such a significant part of my professional life at this special institution. It has been a journey full of purpose, connection, and joy.”
Two memories stand out most for Becky. The first came in 2009 when she was honored with the Affiliate New Professional Award, acknowledging the work she had done during her early years as Director of Student Health.
The second came in 2017, when she and 10 nursing students traveled to Guatemala over interterm to explore international healthcare. “We helped build vented stoves to improve respiratory health in rural communities, conducted school health screenings, and discovered that even without speaking the language, a smile truly is universal,” she said.
Becky has impacted many people across campus in her various roles and is grateful for the opportunity to meet and work with so many great people along the journey.
I’ve been incredibly fortunate to work alongside so many wonderful, caring individuals across campus,” she said. “I’m especially grateful for the inquisitive students I’ve had the privilege to support and learn with, whether in person or online.”
Becky and her husband love traveling, something they plan to do more of following retirement. They have already visited 20 different countries and are excited to add Spain and Portugal to the list this fall. She also plans to spend more time with her three grandchildren, and she and her husband recently bought a fishing boat, so a new hobby may be on the horizon.
May Smith – May (or Nurse May as she is affectionately referred to) has served as Student Health Nurse for the past seven years. Her time at Midland has been filled with taking care of countless students, and doing it all with a smile.
“I will miss everything about Midland,” she said. “I love being a nurse, and it has truly been my calling. What I didn’t realize was that I would love being part of a community of young adults. Helping them through their illness and teaching them how to care for themselves has been very rewarding to me.”
She is also grateful to work with an outstanding group of people in Student Affairs. “They are such a great team to be a part of and made me feel like family,” she said. “The teamwork with the athletic department and professors has been phenomenal, and the referrals have allowed students to feel well-cared for when they are sick.”
One of May’s lasting memories of Midland is how the campus bonded together during and after the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. “The thing that stood out to me was how the entire campus came together to support and make sure all the students’ needs were taken care of,” she said. “When I needed extra help, so many people stepped up to ensure it was provided. Their education, mental health, and physical needs were a priority across campus. That is when I knew I was in a very special place, and convinced me Midland was where I wanted to continue my nursing career.”
In retirement, May and her husband plan to spend more time with their 12 grandchildren and attending their events. They also have some big travel plans, including a trip to Germany in the fall. She also plans on spending more time tending to her many gardens.
