Three Longtime Faculty Members Granted Emeritus Status

BETHANY, W.Va. – Bethany College recently bestowed emeritus status on three longtime faculty members.

Provost and Dean of Faculty Dr. Joe Lane announced the unanimous decisions by the Faculty, Retention, Tenure and Promotion Committee during the Bethany’s 182nd commencement ceremony.

The recipients are Dr. John Hull, professor emeritus of psychology; Dr. Steven Carelli, professor emeritus of history; and Dr. Wallace (Wally) Neel, professor emeritus of physical education and sports studies.

Hull joined the Bethany College faculty in 1976, and over the years co-authored papers and presentations with more than 110 Bethany students and more than 130 total students. In all, students have appeared as co-authors on Hull’s presentations and publications 177 times.

Hull led students to the Eastern Psychology Association annual meetings for more than 40 years. In 2022 alone, he co-authored research with Dr. Debra Hull, visiting professor of psychology, and eight Bethany students.

Hull has taught more than two dozen unique courses at Bethany and was recognized with numerous internal awards, including the President’s Award of Excellence (Faculty) (2021) and Bethany College Student Life Award for “Exceptional Service to Students – Faculty” (2020). He was twice a nominee for the Faculty Merit Foundation of West Virginia Outstanding Professor of the Year.

Carelli joined Bethany in 2007 after a lengthy career at Southern Illinois University as a principal faculty member and administrator of the study abroad campus in Niigata, Japan. At Bethany, Carelli was popular among students and known to carry one of the heaviest credit loads while also working on the Faculty Welfare Committee, Student Life Committee, Academic Standards Committee, and the International Studies Committee.

Shortly before retiring from Bethany at the end of 2021, Carelli spent a sabbatical setting up new study abroad and semester away exchanges with universities in Japan.

Neel served Bethany College from 1982 to 2012. During that time, he was a professor of physical education while also taking on the roles of chair of physical education and sports studies (2002-2006); dean of professional studies (2006-2009), athletic director (1993-2002 and 2008-2009 and assistant provost (2009-2010).