Reflections from retiring faculty, staff

Several faculty and staff retired at the end of December or in January 2011. We asked them to reflect on their time at the College of Technology and about their future plans. Look for another installment from springtime retirees in May. (Note: we have included only those retirees who have given us permission to publish information.)

Name: Patricia Hellinger, secretary, College of Technology at New Albany
Years of service: 10
What will you remember most about your time at Purdue: The students and friends that I have made
What will you be doing in retirement: Working somewhere

Name: Marcia Miller, secretary, College of Technology at Kokomo
Years of service: 25 years
What will you remember most about your time at Purdue: A lifetime of memories with wonderful friends: faculty, staff and students! Thank you all from the bottom of my heart for the memories.
What will you be doing in retirement: I have a bucket list a mile long! I hope I can find time to do it all! Family, friends and travel.

Name: Dale Oderman, associate professor of aviation technology
Years of service: 15
What will you remember most about your time at Purdue: I started teaching at Purdue because I wanted to work with students, and that is what kept me going on a daily basis. I really enjoyed the interaction with students in and out of the classroom, and since I usually had them in several classes, I loved seeing them make progress in our program toward their degrees. I still keep in touch with a number of them and follow their successful careers in the aviation world. I was especially honored when student committees selected me for the COT Dwyer Award and the Purdue Murphy Award, as that affirmed the initial purpose I had when I came to Purdue.
What will you be doing in retirement: My wife and I are moving to Colorado Springs to be closer to our family; we have two children in Colorado and one in California. So we will spend more time with them, their spouses, and our grandchildren. We will also get involved with various volunteer activities through church, and we plan to be involved with cadets at the Air Force Academy, my alma mater. After we get settled in town, I might also do some part-time teaching at one of the colleges in Colorado Springs on an adjunct basis.

Name: Sandy Schnebly, secretary, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering Technology
Years of service: 10
What will you remember most about your time at Purdue:

The great faculty and staff in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering Technology.
A former co-worker I met here in ECET and have established a very close friendship with.
I have advanced my computer skills.
The many things I have learned on the college level.
Made friends with so many great people in Technology.
The Purdue University grounds holds a vast history and I want to see more of it and learn more about it.

What will you be doing in retirement: I want to spend more time with my granddaughter, who lives in Lafayette. See my grandson, who lives in the state of Washington and my other grandson, who lives down by Evansville. I want to travel with my husband, Jim, to see my family in Illinois and his family in Ohio, as well as travel the USA to see the many sights and visit friends. I enjoy taking care of my rose garden, flowers and working outside in my yard. I hope to get involved in volunteer work with the seniors. They are so precious and often forgotten. I will be spending quality time with my mom in Illinois and church mom to help take care of them for the rest of their days. I anticipate coming to campus in warmer weather just to walk around and see the many areas I have not had a chance to see and visit with my Technology family and friends. My 10 years here have gone so fast and have been so rewarding. I shall treasure this experience forever.

Name: Stephen Schuette, professor of building construction management
Years of service: 19
What will you remember most about your time at Purdue: There have been many memorable times at Purdue. They include my interview presentation at Purdue, the many faculty accomplishments, student success in national competitions, the opportunities of meeting with our construction industry customers, and meeting Neil Armstrong at a fundraising event in Naples, Fla.
What will you be doing in retirement: Other than spending more time in Florida we are considering cruising the loop on our boat:

The trip will start at our home port of Peoria, Ill., and proceed downstream on the Illinois River to the Mississippi River.
Downstream on the Mississippi to the Ohio River
Upstream on the Ohio to the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway
Proceed to Mobile, Ala. and cross the Gulf of Mexico to Ft. Myers, Fla.
Take the waterway through Lake Okeechobee to Stuart, Fla.
North along the Eastern Seaboard
Cruise the Great Lakes (including stops in Canada) to Chicago, Ill.
Downstream on the Illinois River and back to our home port in Peoria, Ill.

Name: Jim “Doc” Windle
Years of service: 45
What will you remember most about your time at Purdue:

I will remember most being involved in the early development of the School of Technology (now College of Technology) and the Department of Industrial Supervision (now Organizational Leadership and Supervision). Dr. Thomas Hull was the first department head and Dr. George McNelly was the first school dean. It was very rewarding to work with and learn from these outstanding leaders as we worked together building the foundation for what presently exists. Then working with the leaders that followed.
I recall preparing and presenting a proposal to the University administration for approval of a co-op program for the School of Technology. I have fond memories of overseeing graduate studies in our department for about 20 years and of serving on the Area Promotions and Tenure Committee for about 40 years.
I will always remember my research and teaching of strategies for improving quality and productivity and my appearance on the NBC "Today" show (arranged by Purdue) to explain my findings on counter-productive work behavior.
I will always treasure the fond memories of the thousands of fine students I have had the privilege of teaching. I appreciate the many teaching awards, including the Dwyer Award and being selected for Purdue's inaugural Book of Great Teachers.
Of course, I will always remember Purdue's outstanding graduation ceremonies, visiting with graduating students' families, walking across the beautiful campus, the camaraderie with beloved colleagues and associates throughout the University. It has been (and will continue to be) an honor and privilege to be part of the Purdue University community.

What will you be doing in retirement: I will continue to do some consulting work and participate in Deming Institute activities. My wife, Marjorie, and I will spend more time with our children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. We will spend more time at our lake home and on our boat. We continue to have an interest in art, antiques, old barns and lighthouses. We plan to travel in our RV to see these and other sites. I also plan to be involved in some volunteer service activities.

Name: Jude Wood
Years of service: 43
What will you remember most about your time at Purdue: The people with whom I have worked over the years, and the change from a sort of “innocence” to a time of “bigger-faster-better.”
What will you be doing in retirement: Spending more time with my guy, getting more sleep, reading more books, planting more flowers, taking more photographs, getting more exercise, hopefully some traveling—maybe I’ll get to go to Ireland again!