While most students only stay around campus for four or so years, many professors are able to call Baker University their second home of more than 10 years. For three professors, it’s time to move on from that.

National Arbor Day celebration

Celebrate National Arbor Day and the retirement of three professors with tree plantings Friday:

• 3:30 p.m. North of the new greenhouse – dedicated to Dr. Gary Giachino
• 3:50 p.m. East of Case Hall – dedicated to Dr. Preston Fambrough
• 4:10 p.m. West of Collins Library – dedicated to Dr. George Wiley

Professor of English Preston Fambrough, professor of chemistry Gary Giachino and professor of religion George Wiley have each separately decided that this year will be their final year teaching.

“Indulge me in a cliché here when I say that all good things have to come to an end,” Fambrough said. “Eventually it has to happen and it’s never going to be easy. I’m just glad I get to retire while I can still remember all my students’ names.”

Fambrough, who has been at Baker for the duration of his 36 years of teaching, came from big state schooling to the private campus having no idea what to expect. He can still remember his May 1976 interview and how friendly and bright the group of students who interviewed him was. It was from that point on that he knew Baker was “the absolute perfect fit for (him).”

All three professors said the students were their favorite part about their job: day-to-day interactions with not only their students, but all students on campus. Even more than that, the professors enjoy seeing them understand the subject and excel in it, which are both things they take pride in.

“I enjoy watching my students see the light and really get it,” Giachino said. “There are few things that have more rewards than teaching.”

When Giachino was trying to get a job as a chemistry teacher in the market, it was tough; he almost left the profession to pursue a job as a chemist. But he was determined to stay in the field because in his words, “doing what you love is the most important,” and stay in it he did for 42 years.

Fambrough came into the profession after his sophomore English teacher at UNC Chapel Hill got him interested in the field. This class, and more specifically this teacher, turned Fambrough on to English and made him realize that teaching was his true passion.

For Wiley, the transition into his teaching field came around a bit differently. After graduating from University of North Carolina with a French major, Wiley was drafted for the Vietnam War. To counteract that, he realized that if he went to seminary he could avoid having to leave for the war. From there he learned to appreciate religion as a subject and decided to stick with it for his 35 years at Baker.

The transition from daily work to daily relaxation won’t be easy for the three. Fambrough is easing out of it by taking on one class next year: Writing and Research for Literary Study, but they are excited to see what retirement has to offer them.

Wiley even has a list of 82 books and movies he wants to check out, including the one he is personally most excited for, “Blackhawk Down.”

“People retire to start a new chapter of some kind,” Wiley said. “I don’t know what that will be for me, but I’m excited to find a new direction.”