OHIO Eastern awards faculty with emeritus status

Ohio University has recently awarded emeritus status to retired professor Dr. Paula McMurray-Schwarz, formerly of St. Clairsville, Ohio, honoring her 23 years of service on the Eastern campus.  

McMurray-Schwarz, who retired in 2022, spent 23 years as an associate professor of Early Childhood Education. During her tenure she was committed to advancing the educational opportunities for the OHIO Eastern campus and surrounding Ohio Valley community. She shared her breadth of knowledge through presentations at the local, regional, national, and international levels and professionally contributed her research findings to over 25 academic publications.  She served as a member of over 50 professional organizations, review boards and committees, including serving in three different appointed positions in the National Association of Early Childhood Teacher Educators from 2002 – 2011. She also served on numerous campus committees, including faculty chair.

She is described by her students and colleagues as a devoted faculty member who set high expectations but was approachable, available, and fair.  A fellow colleague shared, “Paula is a professor who strives to optimize each student’s maximum potential by guiding, elevating and supporting the individual needs of each student.”

“We are grateful for Paula’s extensive service to Ohio University Eastern,” David Rohall, OHIO Eastern Dean of Campus and Community Engagement, said. “Long term faculty who are committed to our students and connected to our community demonstrate why Ohio University Eastern is an outstanding educational opportunity for our area residents.”

Emeritus or emerita status in conferred upon a faculty member at the time of his or her retirement or posthumously. Each candidate’s academic record is evaluated with reference to length of service, quality of teaching and research or performance in the administrative position, overall contribution to the University and service to society beyond the University community.