03/23/2026
After 40 years of dedicated service to Messiah University, the Department of Human Development and Family Science announces the retirement of Dr. Raeann Hamon.
Dr. Hamon has served the university with distinction for four decades, including 31 years as chair of the HDFS Department and one year as Interim Dean of the School of Education and Social Sciences. Since 2005, she has held the rank of Distinguished Professor. A Fellow of the National Council on Family Relations, she has published numerous books and scholarly articles—many co-authored with students—reflecting her deep commitment to mentoring students in research and writing.
Throughout her career, Dr. Hamon has invested significantly in innovative teaching and the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning. She also created two intergenerational programs for her aging courses that foster meaningful relationships between college students and older adults. In addition, she developed the Gerontology minor and helped facilitate the creation of several other minors and programs.
Raeann has facilitated increased resources for the HDFS department, securing scholarships specifically for HDFS students. Raeann co-initiated the HDFS Department Student Research and Professional Development Endowment (to support student research and conference attendance), as well as the Dorothy Gish Women in Leadership Endowment Awards.
As a department, we are especially grateful for the collegial spirit Raeann brought to our work. As current HDFS chair Paul Johns notes, “Raeann has been an incredibly supportive, patient, and encouraging colleague.” Her leadership helped nurture a positive departmental climate where both faculty and students could thrive. The breadth of Raeann’s influence through her teaching, scholarship, and mentorship will be felt for years to come.
We are deeply thankful for Dr. Hamon’s many contributions to Messiah University and for her commitment to the academic and spiritual growth of her students. We wish her great joy and fulfillment in retirement.
We will be joining together for a reception on April 15th from 2:30-4:30 p.m. in Boyer 136 (Howe Atrium). All are welcome to attend the celebration.
We are asking for everyone to share a memory, photo, or add a word to her word wall, to catalog her 40 years in higher education. All of these should be shared by April 10th by using the following Qualtrics link below Please also RSVP:
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