In the wood-walled solemnity of the Gerlinger Alumni Lounge, professor of journalism Jim Upshaw stood behind the lectern with his retirement certificate in hand, flanked by floral bouquets and lit from the sides by sunlight spilling in through open balcony doors.
Recalling a politician’s verbal mishap he heard during his years as a national TV news correspondent, he said: “A mind is a terrible thing to lose. Sometimes I think that happened to me, but I’m glad I lost it here.”
Each of this year’s 50 retirees had a chance to speak to the crowd of more than 100 gathered to honor their years of service to the University. Those who took that opportunity praised the University, remembering those who inspired them and reflecting joyfully on the campus where many spent most of their adult lives.
Before presenting the bound certificates to the retirees, University President DaveFrohnmayer said the reception felt bittersweet. He said the retirees served the University for a combined 671 years, each devoting a central part of his or her life to improving the campus. The retirees share responsibility for each of the
University’s successes, he said, and they helped build something that will endure beyond them.
Frohnmayer then read each retiree’s name from their certificates, inviting them up to the lectern for a handshake, a photograph and the opportunity to speak.
Mary Rigby, business manager for the Institute of Molecular Biology choked up.
“If I say anymore I’m going to cry, but I love all of you. You guys are great,” she said before sitting down to great applause.
Judy Newman spent 10 years in the University’s math department
“Maybe I should hang around for another twenty years,” she said, pausing briefly. “No, I don’t think so.”
Ron Wixman, a professor of geography, said working for the University was the best thing that ever happened to him but that he now plans to lead travel tours around the world.
Dale Williams, who spent 22 years as a plumber for facilities services, expressing his appreciation for all his coworkers and friends and then whooped for joy.
Rita Urey, receptionist for the Institute of Molecular Biology, cried during her speech.
“I’m really sad, I don’t want to leave,” she said.
After 34 years teaching at the Oregon Institute of Marine Biology in Charleston, Ore., Nora Terwilliger said she plans to continue working around the ocean. For six weeks this summer she will work with a research facility in Maine, she said, and will then work for a marine biology lab in Charleston, S.C..
“I’m going from Charleston west to Charleston east,” she said.
She said she is entering a period of partial retirement in which she will spend the next five years teaching only one class in the spring term of each year. The freedom retirement offers is exciting, she said.
Professor emeritus of biology Frank Stahl attended the event because he said some of the honorees are dear friends of his. Stahl retired last year, and said he enjoys it.
Stahl said retirement has freed him to do the science he wants without pressure from the University to raise funds. He spends his time working for political causes, he said, specifically trying to stop the University from accepting military funding. He said that in recent years the administration has adopted a corporate, top-down management style that harms the University and expels the democratic ideal of a faculty-governed institution.
He said he has been very busy since he retired and hopes to continue to be until the day he dies.