It’s not often that someone retiring gives gifts to their employer and colleagues. But that’s what Michael Porter, along with wife Rose, did when he announced his retirement April 24 effective June 1.
The couple has been part of the Mizzou community since 1979 when Michael joined the Department of Communication faculty and Rose joined the Sinclair School of Nursing faculty and enrolled in a doctoral program in the College of Education. After a combined 66 years of service to MU, the Porters dedicated a bench at the northeast corner of Switzler Hall to their “university family,” sharing the moment with a crowd of administrators, faculty, staff, students and members of the Communication Department Advisory Council, who were in town for the department’s bi-annual meeting.
“Communication is the process of creating shared meaning,” said Ken Dean, interim provost and associate professor of law. “Today we’re here to create some shared meaning about Mike.”
During Michael Porter’s 35-year career at MU, the last four as chair of the department, the curriculum has constantly evolved in order to stay current with changes in new technology.
“Many of us came to the department to learn about television,” said Michael Atchison, one of an estimated 22,000 former students of Michael Porter. “In those days, a television was a few channels received through an antenna attached to a box tied to a wall. Now, television, or something like it, fits in your pocket and lets you watch an entire season of your favorite show anytime or anywhere that you want.”
Although Michael Porter spent much time in the classroom, he also served on numerous campus committees, including the Faculty Council, Graduate Faculty Senate, the Committee on Undergraduate Education and the Campus Writing Board. For 20 years, he served as a co-facilitator of Freshmen Interest groups, and from 2000 to 2007, he was director of special degree programs.
“No one does this sort of work alone, and no one has done it better together,” Atchison said.
Rose Porter served as the dean of the MU Sinclair School of Nursing from 1999 to 2008. The day after she retired in July 2008, the provost asked her to be the interim dean for the College of Education. She officially retired in 2010, though she remains active, serving as president of the MU Retirees Association during the 2012 academic year.
Michael Porter said he doesn’t know what he’s going to do in retirement — “and that’s kind of exciting” — though he will continue to serve as one of the tri-chairs for MU’s 175th anniversary celebration and as a member of the communication department’s advisory committee through the One Mizzou capital campaign.
As the group migrated from the Reynolds Journalism Institute to the bench, the bell of Switzler Hall rang eight times. (“We were a little afraid 35 rings might alert the whole campus and cause a panic, so we’re going to take a little creative license and do three plus five. Those rings are going to symbolize your 35 years,” said former student Tracy Feller.)
“For 35 years, Mike and I have loved to come to work every single day,” Rose Porter said. “We didn’t want to honor us but the people who made this a fabulous place to work. We wanted to honor all of our Mizzou family who have supported us.”
Michael Porter added: “You really have been our family.”
— Kelsey Allen
