By Olivia Soutter
Staff Writer

St. Michael’s will see 10 faculty members voluntarily retire at the end of the semester, the four interviewed here offer a glimpse into their combined 122 years at the college.

Joanne Scott,
instructor of Business Administration and Accounting, has taught at St. Michael’s
College since the fall of 1991.

“One of the things I’m going to miss most at Saint Mike’s is the joy of interacting with students and how they make the most of the office hours. our school has such a community feel to it,” said Scott. “I want to be able to travel and do more things with my husband who is retired already while I still have my health.” In her free time she hopes to ski, golf, and travel.
She noted one of her most memorable times was this fall semester where she advised and aided some business students who made it to regional competition at the Chartered Financial Analyst Institute. The team worked to create a final analysis report due in early December. The team successfully made it to regional competition.
She was also part of a team taught course on campus called business strategy where students create their own business and products to sell. Throughout the years, she kept little mementos from the students’ businesses including a purple door stop holding her door open.
Scott said the advice she offers faculty is, “Always leave your office door open for your students and connect your lessons to current real world situations instead of going out of a textbook.”
Scott said her position has been replaced.

Aostre Johnson,
professor of Education,
has taught at St. Michael’s College since 1989.

“After being here for nearly three decades, it’s a good time in my life to do something different,” Johnson said.
Johnson said she will miss the students and her colleagues the most. She said she will also miss the feeling of being part of a community that is dedicated to learning about self, others and the world, and to creating a better world.
“In the future I plan to continue to research, write and consult about topics I’m passionate about, such as contemplative and mindfulness education; ethical and spiritual education; holistic, integrative curriculum; human development; and early childhood education.”
Her basic teaching method focused on conversation through pairs, small groups, and class discussion has not changed since starting. “In this technology based era, I believe that face to face communication is more important than ever,” Johnson said.
The advice Johnson said she would give to current professors is, “Stay open to the curiosity that drew you to the academic topics you’re most interested in. Cultivate a sense of gratitude for the ‘extraordinariness in the ordinary,’ the small miracles that surround us.”
Johnson said her position will be replaced by a 1/2 non-tenure track position.

Doug Slaybaugh,
professor of History,
has taught at St. Michael’s College since 1986.

“My most memorable time here is a seminar course I taught on the history of the American Dream,” Slaybaugh said. When I taught this course one year I had a group who wrote great papers and shared engaging discussions.”
Slaybaugh plans on staying in Burlington to work on a book and other writing projects. He also plans to volunteer and start some home improvement projects that have been eagerly awaiting him.
He advised other professors to remain optimistic despite budget concerns. “The college is going through financial issues right now but we all have to work constructively together to get through this hurdle. It’s exciting that we have a new president to offer new ideas.”
Slaybaugh said his position will eventually be replaced.

William Marquess,
instructor of English,
has taught at St. Michael’s College since 1984.

“I am retiring because I want to stop while I still love it and have the energy to experience different things. This is bittersweet to be leaving a wonderful community.”
Marquess was first drawn to the curriculum and small liberal arts college aspect.
“I’ll miss getting paid to talk about the thing that I love the most,” Marquess said.
He plans to stay in Burlington to read, write, and listen to music. He is still trying to determine what to do next but so far it is just to enjoy his time off.
“Since working here there has been a large shift from lecture style to sitting with students in a circle to make it a more discussion based class, involving and interacting with the students more,” Marquess said.
Marquess worked here for so long that it was hard for him to come up with just one memorable time. Picking from one of the many memories he chose speaking at the opening convocation in the fall of 2007 to the incoming freshman and families. He found it remarkable of how packed the chapel was with faculty, students, and families. He liked looking out into the crowd while speaking and seeing the incoming first-years’s engaged, nervous, and excited faces.
Marquess declined to offer sweeping advice to other faculty. “I know the things that I do but it does not apply to other professors in their teachings.”