Reflections from retiring faculty, staff

Several faculty and staff are retiring at the end the 2010-2011 academic year. We asked them to reflect on their time at the College of Technology and about their future plans. (Note: we have included only those retirees who have given us permission to publish information.)

Name: Dick Barnett, professor of electrical and computer engineering technology
Years of service: 31
Favorite CoT memories: Working with the EET students, especially on their projects.
Retirement plans: None in particular. There are several goals that remain on my 'bucket list' that I would still like to accomplish.

Name: Glenn Blackwell, associate professor of electrical and computer engineering technology
Years of service: 30
Favorite CoT memories: The students, especially when together we created “Aha!” moments.
Retirement plans: Travel. With a son in Richmond, Va., and daughters in Phoenix, Ariz., and Portland, Ore., there is lots of beautiful country in between.

Name: Jerry Foster, associate professor of electrical and computer engineering technology, Kokomo
Years of service: 24
Favorite CoT memories: I particularly recall specific, varied interactions with students over the years. Involving students in systems-oriented projects was an especially pleasurable aspect of my course development. I also enjoyed working with our great faculty and staff and learning the technology and creating educational applications.
Retirement plans: My wife, Donna, and I plan to see kids and grandkids more, do some traveling (when we can find a place to put our kitty cats), and mend our tired bodies. I would like to continue learning how to play the piano and do some painting and drawing. And I would like to solve the problems of the world – but first I think I’ll take a nap.

Name: Marcy Helms, academic advisor for computer graphics technology
Years of service: 19.5 years (17.5 within CoT)
Favorite CoT memories: I will cherish and remember the friendships I’ve made with faculty, staff, and students. I have truly enjoyed working at Purdue, and I am honored that I could represent the University, the college, and CGT. Thanks for the memories!
Retirement plans: Mike and I plan to remain in our current residence, as our children and grandchildren live here in Tippecanoe County. (We have lived in this home for 37 years!) We look forward to spending more time with our siblings, children, and five grandchildren. I will enjoy working in my flower gardens, and we will be planting a vegetable garden to share. We will probably remodel some of our home one more time, and I plan to have time to volunteer more, as well.

Name: William Hubbard, associate professor of electrical and computer engineering technology, Kokomo
Years of service: 40 years
Favorite CoT memories: Wonderful student interaction. Great people to work with.
Retirement plans: Pilgrimage to Europe in October. Camping with the five grandchildren this summer. Cruise to Alaska with two grandchildren in June. Annual EAA AirVenture plane trip to Oshkosh, Wisc.

Name: Joe Kmec, associate professor of mechanical engineering technology
Years of service: 25
Favorite CoT memories: Opportunity to help our students realize their educational dreams; opportunity to help develop two new courses namely: Fundamentals of Motorsports and Machine Diagnostics; opportunity to define a future role for the college in nuclear education as public perception of nuclear power and its use change.
Retirement plans: Initial plans include both domestic and foreign travel. Some of the trips will include visits to family, friends, former students and former classmates. Some writing, some artwork, and learning how to live without using words like: instant, overnight, immediate, express, fast, rush, quick. Go Boilermakers!!

Name: Greg Moss, professor of electrical and computer engineering technology
Years of service: 27
Favorite CoT memories: The faculty, staff, and students that I have worked with; the transition of the college; my friendships with colleagues in Germany through our study abroad program for the past five years.
Retirement plans: Travel, enjoy grandchildren and children, catch up on tasks at home, more relaxation time.

Name: Michael O’Hair, professor of electrical and computer engineering technology in Kokomo, former associate dean for Statewide Technology and engagement
Years of service: 43 (41 within CoT)
Favorite CoT memories:

I will remember my years as Director of the College of Technology at Kokomo. Specifically, I will recall the hundreds of non-traditional students who, through hard work, turned their lives and their family’s lives around with a Purdue education close to home. I will remember the dedicated Kokomo faculty and staff who made this possible. I will remember the two new buildings that were designed and built to house the growing Purdue Kokomo programs. During my tenure the enrollments grew from approximately 45 students to a peak of approximately 600.
I will remember how Dean George McNelly served as my mentor in the early years at Purdue Kokomo. This included the initial development of the Statewide Technology concept to replace Guest-Host. George and his wife Louise remain dear friends.
I will remember starting Project Lead The Way in Indiana and watching it grow to 30,000 middle and high school students in pre-engineering and engineering technology. This involved a significant partnership with two Indiana Agencies, the Department of Education and the Department of Workforce Development. Receiving the Indiana DOE “Bell Ringer Award” from Dr. Suellen Reed, Superintendent for Public Instruction, will be remembered.
I have made many friends around the country through my ASEE activities. Receiving the James H. McGraw ASEE Society Award and being selected as an ASEE Fellow are highlights of my career.
Having the opportunity to serve as associate dean for Statewide Technology and engagement will be remembered as an important part of my Purdue career. I am grateful to Dean Dennis Depew for that opportunity. Dennis and Donna will remain dear friends.

Retirement plans: My wife and I will be spending more time with our family and specifically with our four beautiful granddaughters. I hope there is still time left to improve my golf game. I plan to take some classes on digital photography. I am trying to learn about healthy gourmet cooking starting with seafood. I will have time to read books for enjoyment as opposed to just keeping up with technology. There are parts of the country and the world we want to revisit or visit for the first time. I have a long list of ocean and river cruises in mind, and we are headed to Alaska for a land tour and cruise this summer. We will continue to support Purdue as President’s Council members, football and basketball as season ticket holders, and John Purdue Club members. There will be new opportunities for volunteering at church and with community activities like Rotary.