The Retirement of Dr. Geschwindner
After 35 years
of committed service to Penn State and the Architectural Engineering program,
Dr. Louis F. Geschwindner,
Jr. announced his retirement, effective July 1, 2004.
Dr. Geschwindner has served as a faculty member in the Architectural Engineering Department since Apr. 1969. He was promoted to full professor in 1992 and served as undergraduate program officer from 1991-2001. From 1996-1997, he also served as interim AE department head.
In the engineering profession, Dr. Geschwindner is highly visible nationally through work on technical activities of the American Society of Civil Engineers. He is a Fellow of the Architectural Engineering Institute. In 2003, he was named vice president of engineering and research for the American Institute of Steel Construction. In this position, he is responsible for establishing AISC’s technical long-range objectives and initiatives, as well as coordinating technical activities between AISC and outside groups.
The impact he has made over the last 35 years as teacher, advisor and friend to the students and graduates of the Penn State AE Department cannot be overstated. He is a dedicated educator and respected faculty member with a commitment to high academic standards. The excellent Penn State AE reputation is a credit, in no small part, to Dr. Geschwindner’s dedication and tireless efforts.The AE faculty, staff and alumni, along with the Geschwindner family, could not let him depart without an appropriate farewell. A complex web of white lies was established in order to lure the unsuspecting Dr. Geschwindner to the Nittany Lion Inn. AE faculty and staff pretended that the usual AE Senior Thesis Kickoff lecture was proceeding as planned. On April 29, 2004, thanks to “reminder emails” and much discussion about the “speaker,” Dr. Geschwindner’s first reaction upon entering the Inn’s ballroom was that he was in the wrong room. As he realized that the hall was filled with over 250 familiar faces, he managed to utter “What’s going on here?” before the roar of applause became overwhelming. It was truly an awesome moment.
But the excitement did not stop there. After opening remarks by Dr. Richard Behr, Charles J. Carter ’90, ’91g, assumed the role of Master of Ceremonies. Charlie is well acquainted with Dr. Geschwindner,
having graduated from Penn State’s AE Department with a B.A.E. and M.S.A.E. and being a colleague of his at AISC. His presentation, appropriately titled Penn State Legends, consisted of a competition between Dr. Geschwindner and Joe Paterno. To everyone’s amusement, the AE Legend beat out the Football Legend, 4.5 stars to 3.5 stars.
The second speaker was Dr. Harry H. West, professor emeritus from Penn State’s Civil Engineering Department. He first knew Dr. Geschwindner as Mr. Geschwindner, functioning as Ph.D. Advisor to the young student. They have been friends and colleagues for years. Dr. West spoke highly of Dr. Geschwindner’s many academic accomplishments while also being a dedicated family man.
Next in line was Tina
Geschwindner Bernhardt ’92, and two of Dr. Geschwindner’s
grandchildren, Jeremy Wells and Sarah Bernhardt.
Tina, the oldest daughter, is an AE alum as is her husband. She spoke touchingly
about her father’s dedication to and involvement with the family. She
noted with amusement that it was not difficult to be a student in her father’s
department as he was “one of the good guys.” After Jeremy and
Sarah spoke, the whole family came onstage to surprise Dr. Geschwindner with
a new family portrait of his children and their families.
The fourth speaker of the evening was Dr. Linda Hanagan ’85, ’92g. She spoke of Dr. Geschwindner’s influence on her life and how he helped her be who she is today. She also spoke highly about his theory on respecting and praising the accomplishments of students. She noted that it is not only his personal accomplishments and accolades, but also the collective influence of all his students that is a tribute to his career.
The final speaker, Robert J. McNamara ’63, was a student at Penn State before Dr. Geschwindner, but has known him well through his activities in the department and industry. He also praised him for his many contributions, both professional and educational.
In lieu of gifts, Charlie
Carter then presented Dr. Geschwindner with a check for over $14,000 representing
the donations made by alumni and friends to the Louis and Judy Geschwindner
Endowed Scholarship in AE. This scholarship was established by the Geschwindners to provide financial assistance to AE undergraduate students who have demonstrated a high level of academic performance. As an endowed scholarship, it will provide scholarships in perpetuity.
And finally, the
guest of honor was allowed to say a few words. Listening to the speakers gave
Dr. Geschwindner a chance to recover from the initial shock; so when he spoke
next, he was as eloquent as usual. He began by informing us that we had been
fooled by him. His elaborate ruse began when, as a sophomore, he was advised
that he was not really cut out for architecture. Adding an emphasis on building
science, he stayed with this major, realizing along the way that engineering
was where he truly belonged. To many, it became clear why he was always so
full of encouragement. He was delighted to recognize that Roland Hummel
’41, his advisor, mentor and friend, was in the audience. Roland
Hummel, emeritus professor of architecture from RPI, was integral in Dr. Geschwindner’s
decision to come to Penn State for graduate studies in engineering. He spoke
of a wonderful and fulfilling career at Penn State and how the students, so
many of whom he was grateful to see that night, were the most important part
of his life, second only to his family. He also thanked his wife, Judy, for
her understanding and support over the years. He could not have done it without
her. Follow this link to read his personal thank you
letter.
A book of memories was compiled to show the breadth of impact Dr. Geschwindner has made on his students and colleagues over the past 35 years. If you have not already contributed to the memory book, please send cards, letters, stories, or photos to Dr. Louis Geschwindner, 227 Ellen Avenue, State College, PA 16802.
Many thanks to all who contributed to the Geschwindner Fund! If you would still like to contribute, please send your donation to Dr. Richard Swails, College of Engineering Development Office, 101 Hammond Building, University Park, PA 16802. Please make your check payable to Penn State and specify that your contribution should be directed to the Louis and Judy Geschwindner Endowed Scholarship in Architectural Engineering.
The AE Department would like to thank Charlie Carter and the American
Institute of Steel Construction (AISC) for their generous support of this
event.