Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Writer: Shanna Relford
news@utsi.edu
Professor Roy J. Schulz was honored with a retirement ceremony in
September in gratitude for his 29 years of service to the University
of Tennessee Space Institute. In his introduction, UTSI Dean of
Academic Affairs Dr. Greg Sedrick said of Dr. Schulz, “We considered
making this a roast, but we couldn’t find enough people to say
unkind things about you.”
A faculty member and long-time chair of UTSI’s Mechanical, Aerospace
and Biomedical Engineering (MABE) Department, Dr. Schulz was also
heavily involved in several research projects at UTSI. Schulz was
responsible for the design and development of the high temperature
combustion system for the magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) facility at
UTSI as well as for part of the heat recovery systems in the exhaust
system of the facility. He also helped support several other major
research projects at UTSI for the US Department of Energy and for
NASA.
At the retirement ceremony, Interim UT Associate Vice President for
UTSI Dr. Angie Bukley bestowed upon Dr. Schulz the title of
Professor Emeritus, making him only the fourteenth to earn this
status from UTSI. UTSI Support Council Chairman Dick Farrar and
Members John Greeter and Dr. Roger Crawford presented Dr. Schulz
with a Support Council plaque in recognition of his service to UTSI.
Crawford and Schulz worked together for many years in the
Mechanical, Aerospace and Biomedical Engineering (MABE) Department
at UTSI. Dr. Crawford, who is also retired, spoke about the “good ol’
days” at the retirement ceremony. Crawford presented two cowboy hats
to the audience, one white and one black. He said that they
frequently wore these hats while advising graduate students. Dr.
Crawford, who would wear the black hat, said that he would make the
students cry, and they would run to Dr. Schulz, in the white hat,
who would comfort them. At one time, Crawford said, he and Schulz
had over 50 students in Mechanical Engineering and 50 in Aerospace
Engineering. Crawford also said that he believed Dr. Schulz advised
more students that any other professor at UTSI, with the possible
exception of founding Professor Bob Young, who was Schulz’ mentor.
Dr. Ahmad Vakili, another UTSI faculty member that worked for years
with Dr. Schulz spoke at the retirement event. “Academics never
really retire,” joked Vakili, “they just lose their faculties.” On a
more serious note, Dr. Vakili said that he had benefited greatly
from Schulz’ advice and his friendship. Vakili served on many, many
dissertation committees with Schulz. He described Schulz as a
“strong and solid pillar supporting UTSI’s roof.”
Dr. Bukley said she too has relied on Dr. Schulz for advice since
taking over the helm at UTSI, because she knew that he would tell
her the truth. She also said that he was one of the hardest workers
she’d ever known. “If we all worked as hard as Roy, we’d be ahead of
the ball game,” stated Bukley.
Dr. Schulz said that he has really enjoyed his time here and has
made lifelong friends. “I had more fun than a human should have
during the MHD days,” said Schulz
Support Council Member John Greeter, Interim UT Associate Vice President for UTSI Dr. Angie Bukley and Support Council Member Roger Crawford look on as Support Council Chairman Dick Farrar shakes hands with Dr. Roy Schulz, thanking him for his 29 years of service to the Space Institute. Drs. Crawford and Schulz worked together for many years at UTSI and are shown above wearing the white and black hats that Dr. Crawford said they frequently wore while advising graduate students in the Mechanical, Aerospace and Biomedical Engineering Department. Dr. Crawford said that when he would make the students cry, they would go to Dr. Schulz, who would comfort them.
Interim UT Associate Vice President for UTSI Dr. Angie Bukley is shown above shaking hands with Dr. Roy Schulz and presenting him with a gift to thank him for his 29 years of service to the Space Institute.
Dr. Roy Schulz was recently honored by the University of Tennessee Space Institute for his 29 years of service to the Space Institute. He is shown above with his wife, Susan, and daughter, Eve, at that event
-- UTSI Photos by Laura Horton
