Annandale Campus Retirees Known for Professionalism, Collegiality

As we continue our remote instructional and service delivery environment into the summer, the Annandale Campus is bidding a fond farewell to three faculty members who are retiring after a collective 61 years of successful service to NOVA.

Dr. Alicia de la Torre Falzon, professor of Spanish, will be leaving after starting at NOVA in 1993 (27 years of service), along with Ana Burke, instructor of Spanish and Mary Charleza, associate professor of English as a Second Language, who both began teaching at NOVA in 2003 (17 years of service). All three made significant contributions to student and faculty success during their service to the college.

“It has been an honor and a true pleasure to work with each of them,” said Jen Daniels, dean of the Annandale Campus LASS Division. “I will miss them dearly and wish them so much joy in retirement.”

The founder of the NOVA chapter of Sigma Delta Mu, the national Spanish honor society and its longtime faculty advisor, Dr. Falzon is “a legendary teacher,” said Bruce Mann, former dean of the Liberal Arts Division and interim dean of the Languages and Literature Division. “Teaching and generous service come to mind when I think of Professor Alicia Falzon.”

“Ana Burke has consistently taught all levels of Spanish and enjoyed sharing information with her students about the cultures of the many countries where Spanish is spoken,” said Ana Alonso, LASS associate dean at the Manassas Campus and former assistant dean of World Languages at the Annandale Campus. “She was always willing to help faculty interpret new technology and to share activities with them that she was successfully giving to her classes.”

“Mary Charleza has been a great colleague throughout her career. She always had a genuine desire to share materials and ideas that would enhance the teaching practices of her peers. She exemplifies excellence in teaching and will be remembered for having a distinguished career,” said Ramon Perez, professor of English as a Second Language at the Annandale Campus.

Remembered for their professionalism and collegiality, all three will be missed by their many colleagues and friends at NOVA. “When we are able to gather again in person, we will invite them back for a party and the presentation of their retirement plaques,” Daniels said.