H
ow do you retire gracefully to pursue your passions when you’re already doing what you love? For Exeter’s emeriti faculty, sometimes it’s possible to have both:
extra time to dally leisurely in breakfast nooks, sail, read and ski, while still participating in Academy life. And the situation is mutually beneficial: Retired faculty who continue to teach offer Exeter a wealth of knowledge and expertise.
For David Weber, Joyce Kemp, Jim Samiljan, Andy Hertig and Barbara Eggers, the opportunity to teach part-time postretirement proved too good to resist. All have long-standing relationships with the Academy, have participated in Exeter’s groundbreaking transformations and hold an unyielding respect for their students and colleagues. Though they’ve gladly used their reduced teaching schedules to incorporate extracurricular interests, all five share a common appreciation: Retirement from Exeter is best when certain ties can be retained. “I live just a mile from the school,” explains David Weber ’71, ’74, ’83 (Hon.); P’92, a mainstay of the English Department since 1970 who retired in 2008. “I’m inevitably on campus a lot, and I very much prefer the feeling of being a utility infielder on the current roster to being an antique or a ghost. Teaching part-time gives me natural occasions to refresh relationships with colleagues.
Retirement Also, even though they are stressed about colleges, the students continue to be interested in what they’re doing so it’s a kick to work with them. Now that I can do that with a manageable time commitment, it’s great. I can do something that I tremendously enjoy without being killed off by it.” Jim Samiljan P’85; P’90, who retired in 2012 after 45 years of teaching Spanish, leapt at the chance to maintain a partial classroom presence. “I enjoyed the teaching as much as ever, but I needed to slow down,” he says, noting that a full-time post includes coaching, dormitory and committee duties. “But the kids are amazing: they’re bright, they’re motivated, they’re funny. It’s always been a pleasure.” His part-time role represents “the
History Instructor Barbara Eggers (above) continues to oversee PEA’s Washington Intern Program.
SPRING 2014
The Exeter Bulletin
23