| IVCC RETIREMENTS: Bob Byrne |  |
 |
| 1976 | 2001 |
| IVCC RETIREMENTS: Bob Byrne | |
|
| 1976 | 2001 |
By Heather Latty
Bob Byrne, chemistry instructor at IVCC since 1970, will be retiring at the end of the semester.
Over the years, he has taught Introduction to Chemistry, Chemistry I and II, Technical Physics, Physical Science and Quantitative Analysis.
He also advised the IVCC student chapter of the American Chemistry Society, called the Chem Club. Under his direction, that group has been named an Outstanding Affiliate Chapter of the national organization for five years in a row. The Chem Club has also presented pHun Chem shows entertaining thousands of students and adults. Byrne has also been the driving force behind IVCC’s participation in the national Rivers Project, organizing an annual Rivers Project Workshop on campus and organizing and participating in river testing.
Byrne received a Merit Award from the college in 1986, and a Catalyst Award for science teaching in 1997.
He served as President and Regional Vice President of the Illinois Association of Chemistry Teachers and was a member of the Community College Chemistry Organization.
Byrne has a Bachelor's degree from Union College in Schenectady, New York. He earned his Master's in science education in 1967 and his Master's in chemistry in 1969, both at the University of Connecticut.
Before coming to IVCC, he taught in a Connecticut high school for four years.
When he arrived at IVCC, "the school was just temporary buildings," he said. "We've made a lot of progress. Over the years, we've kept up our good standards."
After retiring, Byrne plans to continue working with the Chem Club and also setting aside time for fishing and gardening. He and his wife Pam plan to travel to Sydney, Australia to visit his daughter Kelly, who is married and has a child.
Ron Groleau, chair of the science and mathematics division, said that Bryne has been "a valuable contributor over the years."
Groleau, who was a student of Byrne's in 1979, said: "Mr. Byrne has been a great asset for his students both in and out of the classroom."