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Dr. Joseph J. Mika, Professor in the School of Library and Information Science Program (SLIS) at Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan, has announced his retirement, effective August 31, 2011. Dr. Mika came to Wayne State in 1986 as Director of the then LIS Program. Under his direction (1986-1994 and again from 2002-2008), the faculty grew from five to seventeen full-time positions, the student body increased from 79 to over 500, nine endowed scholarships were established, and the SLIS received accreditation and reaccreditation from the American Library Association. Dr. Mika moved again to faculty as a full professor in 2007. Prior to coming to Wayne State, Dr. Mika served as assistant dean and associate professor of library science at the University of Southern Mississippi, was assistant librarian and assistant professor at Johnson State College (VT), assistant director of the library at Ohio State University’s Mansfield Regional Campus, and in various positions as support staff in the School of Information Sciences at the University of Pittsburgh (PA). Dr. Mika is an author and editor, and makes numerous presentations to library organizations, focusing on customer service, personnel issues, leadership, and strategic planning. Dr. Mika’s professional activities have included numerous American Library Association committee appointments, and election to the ALA Council as chapter councilor, first from Mississippi and later from Michigan. He has served as Chair of the Michigan Center for the Book, and has been active in Beta Phi Mu, the international library and information science honor society, having served on its Board and as President. In addition to his career in the field of library and information science, Dr. Mika is a retired Colonel in the United States Army Reserve. Dr. Mika holds a BA, MLS, and PhD from the University of Pittsburgh (PA). Stephen T. Bajjaly Associate Dean School of Library and Information Science Wayne State University www.slis.wayne.edu