Students, alumni and staff held a surprise retirement party for Dr. Warren Villaescusa and his wife Dr. Sunny Villaescusa.

Warren had been working at OLLU for 24 years and has taught many of the biology courses. Sunny taught in the chemistry department for 22 years.

The event was coordinated by Sigma Zeta and the Chemistry Club to recognize both professors and their dedication to the university.

“I will miss his sense of humor,” said James Salas, organic chemistry major about Warren. “He made the classes not just enjoyable, but understandable.”

Faculty congratulated Warren and Sunny for making the biology and chemistry department proud through the great success of graduates.

Alum Greg Farris said, “Dr. Warren was a lot of fun but challenging.”

Cynthia Johnson, a former student who took several classes with both professors said, “This is a great way to honor their dedication.” And “I will always remember Dr. Sunny dancing ‘Staying Alive’during class,” said Johnson. 

“I will miss our students the most,” said Warren. “They are the ones that keep me young.”

Sunny said that the hardest thing about teaching is leaving. She hopes students will remember her as “tough but fair.”

When asked what they planned to do after retiring, Warren and Sunny said, “We plan to get a puppy, stay home and play tennis.”

This event also celebrated Dr. Charles Smith, head of the chemistry department. Students presented Smith with a certificate for achieving tenure at OLLU.