By Brandon JenkinsSenior Staff Writer
One of San Diego State's most devoted faculty members is sayinggoodbye - almost.
E. Nicholas Genovese, university senator and chair of classics andhumanities, is entering the Faculty Early Retirement Program at theend of this semester. The program allows faculty members to continueworking for up to five years while enjoying the benefits ofretirement. The retiring faculty members can choose to work everyother semester or choose to do half the time. In Genovese's case, hewill work half of a semester for as long as five years.
Genovese said he originally intended to retire in a few years fromnow but the financial benefits of the program were too good to passon and there might be a chance he wouldn't get the same option nextyear.
"It was an offer I couldn't refuse," he said.
An early retirement party was held in honor of Genovese onWednesday in the Faculty Staff Club. More than 40 friends and facultymembers attended to pay tribute to Genovese's dedication to theuniversity.
Genovese told guests he has every intention on staying the fullfive years.
Communication professor Glen Broom was one of several speakers atthe party. He told guests that in the years Genovese spent at SDSU,the university was a very different place.
"I don't think that's a coincidence," he said.
Gene Lamke, chair of recreation parks and tourism, said Genovesehas outstanding values and goals for the university. Genovese knowshow to educate students and he set higher education on a pinnacle, hesaid.
Lamke said Genovese has very lofty ideals and is constantly takingthe high road by making suggestions to improve the university. Onemoment in particular that Lamke remembers was when Genovese suggestedto ban smoking and sale of tobacco-related products on campus.
"He's a great colleague and the university's going to miss a greatperson," Lamke said.
Genovese has served 22 years in the University Senate and 14 yearsas chair of the humanities and classics department. He has been aprofessor within that department, teaching courses such as mythology,Latin poetry and Renaissance and the Middle Ages.
He has also served as chair in a number of other committeesincluding the Committee on Constitutions and Bylaws, the GeneralEducation Committee, the University Tenure and Promotions ReviewPanel and the Senate Executive Committee.
Genovese authored Mythology: Texts and Contexts for hisundergraduate class and edited The Burnett Lectures: A QuarterCentury.
Genovese said he is most proud of two aspects of his career atSDSU.
"I'm most proud that we've been able to maintain a classicsprogram all these years and have been able to join it withhumanities," he said. "I'm second most proud of the work I've done inthe senate."
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