The end of the spring semester is normally a time to celebrate the departure of graduating students, yet this is also a time to commemorate professors retiring from their lives in academia at GW. For several of this year's retiring professors - namely John Ziolkowski and Gregory Ludlow - the decision to step down means an end to decades of scholarly work in the GW community.
Professor of classics John Ziolkowski has been teaching at GW for 40 years, a tenure longer than that of outgoing University President Stephen Joel Trachtenberg.
Ziolkowski was chairman of the classics department for 20 years and has taught courses in Latin and Greek as well as courses in translation, medical terminology and even one about Parisian classical influence on Washington.
Ziolkowski said he has seen GW change both physically and academically in his long tenure with the commuter school turned up-and-coming, top-notch research university.
"When I came, Quigley's was a campus drug store, a place to get a malt or milkshake," Ziolkowski said. "The places where people congregate have (changed dramatically) over time."
Over the decades, Ziolkowski saw GW's tremendous growth firsthand, from rapid construction of classroom and administrative buildings to the dramatic increase in the size of the faculty.
"I've enjoyed the changes since I've been here and the associations I've had with faculty and students over the years," Ziolkowski said.
Although he has agreed to teach part time next year since his departure leaves the classics department understaffed, Ziolkowski and his wife are considering a move to the Southwest. Ziolkowski said he is fortunate to have spent so long in such an exciting city.
"I feel very lucky to have spent 40 years in the same kind of job," Ziolkowski said. "I've enjoyed all the contacts I've made and I think it's a very invigorating environment."
As for the future of GW, Ziolkowski is excited to see Marguerite Barratt, the recently appointed dean of the Columbian College of Arts and Science, and University President-elect Stephen Knapp begin their careers at the University.
Professor of classics John Ziolkowski has been teaching at GW for 40 years, a tenure longer than that of outgoing University President Stephen Joel Trachtenberg.
Ziolkowski was chairman of the classics department for 20 years and has taught courses in Latin and Greek as well as courses in translation, medical terminology and even one about Parisian classical influence on Washington.
Ziolkowski said he has seen GW change both physically and academically in his long tenure with the commuter school turned up-and-coming, top-notch research university.
"When I came, Quigley's was a campus drug store, a place to get a malt or milkshake," Ziolkowski said. "The places where people congregate have (changed dramatically) over time."
Over the decades, Ziolkowski saw GW's tremendous growth firsthand, from rapid construction of classroom and administrative buildings to the dramatic increase in the size of the faculty.
"I've enjoyed the changes since I've been here and the associations I've had with faculty and students over the years," Ziolkowski said.
Although he has agreed to teach part time next year since his departure leaves the classics department understaffed, Ziolkowski and his wife are considering a move to the Southwest. Ziolkowski said he is fortunate to have spent so long in such an exciting city.
"I feel very lucky to have spent 40 years in the same kind of job," Ziolkowski said. "I've enjoyed all the contacts I've made and I think it's a very invigorating environment."
As for the future of GW, Ziolkowski is excited to see Marguerite Barratt, the recently appointed dean of the Columbian College of Arts and Science, and University President-elect Stephen Knapp begin their careers at the University.
