Daily Pioneer News

PLATTEVILLE - University of Wisconsin-Platteville professor of industrial studies Howard Brooks has seen many changes in his time at the institution. And after 35 years of teaching, professor Brooks will retire this May.

"There've been a lot of changes," said Brooks, who joined the UWP faculty in the year man first walked on the moon. "It's made teaching a lot more fun, and even more challenging."

In a technology-based program like industrial studies, the curriculum evolves as new tools become more prominent in the field. During his time at UWP, Brooks has seen the rise of lasers and computers in industry, in addition to changes in teaching technology.

"So much of what we have today involves computers," Brooks said. "There's no more chalk on the chalkboards."

And as the tools of the trade evolved, Brooks taught a variety of industrial studies courses over his 35-year career.

"I taught probably 12 different courses. I couldn't even name all of them," he said.

Brooks was named department chair four years ago. This semester, in addition to teaching a time and motion studies course, Brooks has supervised industrial technology management majors taking internships. All ITM majors are required to complete an internship.

"It's a very good preparation for procuring a position when they graduate," Brooks said. "It's their responsibility. We don't just hand them a place to work."

Brooks said his interaction with students has been one of the highlights of teaching at UWP.

"It's really fun to work with students, to help them achieve their goals," he said. Since he announced his retirement, Brooks has receives letters from many of his former students who have flourished in the industry.

"That's the most rewarding part. We've had so many," he said. It's estimated 1,200 students have graduated from the industrial studies program during the time Brooks has taught in the program.

Gene Weber, Platteville, graduated with a master's degree in industrial technology in 1973. He remembers taking a quality control course with professor Brooks.

"He's just an excellent instructor who was very concerned that his students learned the subject matter and gained an appreciation for the role quality would play in business and in life," said Weber, who worked for John Deere for 28 years. "No matter what occupation you're in, the quality of the product you produce or the service you render really has your signature on it, and therefore it reflects on you as a person and on your company."

Brooks himself earned a bachelor's degree in industrial arts and a master's degree in teaching from UWP and a doctorate degree in practical arts and vocational technology education from the University of Missouri at Columbia. His first teaching experience came at Hempstead High School in Dubuque, and he joined the UWP faculty in 1969.

"We have a really neat department. We've done a lot of things together over the years," Brooks said. "This has really been a wonderful place to come to every day for the past 35 years."

Richard Klawiter has been tabbed to replace Brooks as department chair; meanwhile, Brooks would like to see the department continue to grow and improve. His goals for the department include more women and minority students in the program. Brooks also said there are many international companies interested in hiring UWP grads, and he would like to impart to students the importance of international experiences.

"We need to do more in term of getting students interested in international study or even working overseas," he said.

Brooks has no immediate plans upon his retirement, but said he'll spend more time doing the things he's always enjoyed doing, such as fishing and playing golf. He also hopes to do a little more traveling with his wife Catherine and visit their four grandkids.

An informal reception at the Pioneer Student Center Saturday, May 15 will honor Brooks and his distinguished career at the university. The event will begin with a cash bar at 5:15 p.m. and dinner at 6 p.m. With a cost of $15, reservations can be made by calling Linda Wanless in the Department of Industrial Studies, 608-342-1380; or via email, wanslessl@uwplatt.edu.