Longtime professor, Gary Baxter, will be retiring from his position as professor of art as he decreases his teaching load over the next two years.
This decision is part of the new Retirement Incentive Plan now offered by the college. “The plan was offered to tenured teaching faculty meeting a minimum age requirement,” said Dale Wright, Executive Director of Human Resources.
According to Wright, participation in the program is voluntary and candidates have two options. The first option is to retire at the end of this current academic year; while the second is to phase into retirement with reduced teaching loads over the next two years.
The plan was offered with two main goals. The first being to give long-serving faculty members who chose to, an opportunity to retire or to reduce their teaching load earlier than they might have otherwise been able to. The plan also hopes to assist the institution in aligning faculty resources with the current size and distribution across academic programs. Wright confirmed that the plan has been well received by the college and participating faculty.
For Baxter this plan was exactly what he wanted. He said, “The work I’ve been doing for the college and in the ceramics studio is pretty physical, so it would be nice to slow down the pace a little bit.” Baxter currently teaches art classes in ceramics, three-dimensional design, and sculpture. Carrolin Jackson, a senior art major, described Baxter saying, “He has always found a way to see beauty and merit in nearly every one of his students’ endeavors, encouraging and provoking in such a way that always brings their projects and ideas to a great completion
than before.” The plan is for Baxter to only teach ceramics for the next two years and for the college to hire a new professor within that period. In the meantime, they may have to hire an adjunct professor to teach Three-Dimensional Design and Sculpture.
The transition of older professors into retirement allows for younger professors to transition into the department. Baxter said, “I think for a lot of students there’s a great deal of appeal to having young faculty members.”Baxter continued,, “I think it’s good to have balance, with some older and some younger faculty. But I think it’s good to have some new blood. With new blood comes new energy for the department.”
After retiring, Baxter will continue making art. At his home he has a studio with both a wood burning and gas kiln. “I am planning to continue to produce ceramic art and continue working for as long as my health allows me to,” he said. Baxter continued, “I have a pile of books to read that I haven’t been able to get around to, and it’d also be nice to travel.” While he has been on several trips to Europe with students, those trips always take place in the summer during high tourist season. Baxter expressed excitement to be able to travel to places like Greece, Turkey, and Japan during the off-season when it is less touristy. She continued, “While his absence will be sorely felt, his impact and influence in his students’ lives will only continue to bloom and resonate for many years to come.”