Three CAS Faculty Members Retiring This Year

We are sadden to see three of our beloved faculty members retire at the end of this academic year. Drs. Ray Bard, Ken Kleszynski, and Elayne Shapiro will be greatly missed around campus by students, staff, and fellow faculty members. The following are reflections and some parting words of wisdom from our retiring faculty:

Ray Bard: Chemistry & Physical and Life Sciences (DOPALS)

How long have you worked at UP: Since 1986 (29 years).
What have you enjoyed most about working at UP: Getting the students to gain confidence in their abilities and working with the staff, particularly those in the physical plant.
Briefly describe one of your favorite teaching moments: I was on a civil rights plunge with students, and I taught classes at an all-black high school in Birmingham Alabama, and I was getting tired and one of the students became the teacher. This student, who was not a science major, was able to lead the class that I was teaching and did an excellent presentation. This student from this plunge is one that I keep in contact with.
What has been your favorite course to teach and why: Organic chemistry is my favorite course to teach because it allows me to see the students believe in themselves and be accountable for their own studies. It is a whole year sequence so I see them as they have to study the material for an entire year and watching how they are able to understand the concepts as they build on top of one another. They have Mt. Organic that they have to climb and I am just their guide, they have to make the climb themselves (no helicopter rides, T-bars, or gondola rides).
What excites you about retirement: Freedom!
Any parting words of advice: People should be open.

Ken Kleszynski: Performing and Fine Arts

How long have you worked at UP: Since 1987 (28 Years).
What have you enjoyed most about working at UP: The people–students, colleagues, staff, everyone.
Briefly describe one of your favorite teaching moments: There is no one moment, but there is something that happens regularly in music theory classes. A student will be working at mastering a concept, we approach it in a variety of ways, then one day it clicks. The look on her/his face is unmistakable, their eyes light up, we look at each other, and it’s like a glorious “Aha!”
What has been your favorite course to teach and why: As a theory geek I could not imagine a semester without music theory. Teaching Intro to Fine Arts has been extremely rewarding, especially when students realize that the arts truly are integral to a quality of life. My “treat” course, though, would be History of Rock and Roll, which I’ve taught five times. The students always find out things about which they had no idea, and I always learn so much from my students every time I teach it.
What excites you about retirement: Having the flexibility to see my grandkids–who live out of town–more often. Being as busy as I want.
Any parting words of advice: Savor the tall chords, and hold them over the bar line.

Elayne Shapiro:Communication Studies

How long have you worked at UP: Since August 1987 (28 Years).
What have you enjoyed most about working at UP: COLLEAGUES (fabulous people within my department) and outside my department (the second floor of BC is FILLED with such great individuals); STUDENTS; the daily BEAUTY of this campus; opportunity to see PASTORAL WORK at its best.
Briefly describe one of your favorite teaching moments: Sharing the teaching stage with Carol Dempsey as we brought our disciplines together over conflict in the Bible was a joy; but in general, teaching has been a joy.
What has been your favorite course to teach and why: interpersonal communication: it matters crucially in every aspect of life.
What excites you about retirement: no grading, and the opportunity to develop my identity anon.
Any parting words of advice: Bring out the best through the love in your heart and the work of your hands.