NEWS

WCC says goodbye to three instructors

From left: Max Gibson English department, Rosemary Rader chemistry and science department, Mike King math department, head into retirement at the end of this semester. Colin MacDougall | Washtenaw Voice

By Colin MacDougall

Contributor

This year, three full-time professors are retiring from Washtenaw Community College. Mike King, Max Gibson, and Rosemary Rader said goodbyes to their colleagues as the semester wound down.

“They are quality instructors. They’re what we use as our example teachers and great employees at the college,” said Kris Good, dean of arts and sciences, with tears of joy in her eyes. “They are dedicated to students and dedicated to their content, curriculum, and to serving the greater college community.”

Dean Kris Good gives a speech congratulating King, Gibson and Rader upon retirement. Colin MacDougall | Washtenaw Voice

Good has worked alongside all the three instructors for the last 14 years, and has been their dean for only the last few.

Mike King has taught math for 40 years, the past 14 years of which he spent as a full-time WCC instructor. King spent the first 26 years of his career teaching math to high school students.

“I’m going to miss my colleagues, the math department,and definitely the young people and great students we have here at WCC,” King said.

King already has plans to travel and plans on traveling often. His wife recently retired as well. During his retirement, King hopes to improve his golf game. King also wants to read more.

“During the semester I can’t read a thing, only in my off time,” King said.

Max Gibson has taught English for 40 years as well. For the past 36 years, she taught at WCC, the first 10 of which she was part-time. Gibson also taught high school for four years at Plymouth-Salem.

“I plan on taking some of my colleagues classes,” Gibson said.

Gibson already has a Spring/Summer Yoga class, but is interested in taking different photography and art classes in the future.

Rosemary Rader has been a chemistry and science instructor for over 25 years here at WCC. The last 22 years, she has spent as full-time instructor.

“I’m going to miss my colleagues and my students,” Rader said.

Rader plans on travelling during her retirement, and she and her husband already have plans in the making to move to Colorado.