At the WSU Applebaum Board of Visitors meeting on Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2019, outgoing member Joe Ringer was honored for his two terms of service and granted emeritus status on the board.

"Joe has given his time, talent and treasure to the college since 2012," said Interim Dean Catherine Lysack at the meeting. "He is creative, loyal and innovative, and we are so lucky to have had him on our board."

Among his accomplishments on the Board of Visitors, Ringer has served as past chair, given one-on-one advice and support to faculty, and helped build partnerships with outside organizations.

He also established the Joseph and Linda Ringer Endowed Scholarship for PharmD students. He and his wife, Linda, are 1982 graduates of the Wayne State pharmacy program, where they met.

Emeritus status is non-voting membership status bestowed on Board of Visitors retirees following at least two full (three-year) terms who, by their interest, service and support have provided continued outstanding contributions of service or influence, above and beyond the expectations of membership, to the board and/or college. Emeritus status is granted by majority vote.

According to board chair Atheer Kaddis, Ringer's emeritus election was unanimous.

Ringer is a professor at Schoolcraft College and a former account executive for Merck and Company.