By Charles J. Fey, Vice President, Student Affairs

It is always sad to say goodbye to a friend and colleague, yet when they are leaving to retire to the good life, you are also very happy for him/her. Thus it is with these mixed feelings that I write to notify the campus community of the retirement of George Preisinger, special assistant to the vice president for student affairs and director of transportation services.

George has served UMBC since July, 1980 when he was hired as the director of the student union and student activities. He oversaw the development and opening of the University Center in 1986, moving into that facility from the old Student Center located in the current Academic Services building. George was asked to take on the direction of Transportation Services and to work in the divisional office of Student Affairs in 1998.

He served as a senator of the Professional Associate Staff Senate in 1995-96 and as president for two terms, first in 1983-84 and also this past year, stepping down on September 30.

George has been active in his profession, and held leadership positions in the Association of College Unions International, National Association of Campus Activities, the Council for the Advancement of Standards (CAS), and as president of the Maryland College Personnel Association (MCPA). He also served on the Alumni Association’s Board of Governors of his alma mater, Duquesne University. George has added to the knowledge base of his profession by authoring a chapter in the Monograph on the College Union and Student Activities in the Year 2000, and has presented at numerous conferences and workshops.

Prior to his service at UMBC, George was associate dean of students for student life, and the director of the Duquesne Union at Duquesne University.

George will now have time to do those things he loves to do at home and play just a little more golf. George and his wife, Diane, will continue to live in Catonsville and attend basketball games for the UMBC Retrievers. Go Dawgs!

George’s official retirement date is October 31, 2005, although he has taken leave for most of October. The Division of Student Affairs will host a retirement party will be held on Tuesday, November 8 from 3 to 5 p.m. in the Skylight Restaurant & Fireside Lounge. All campus community members and alumni are cordially invited to attend. RSVPs should be sent to John Flister at flister@umbc.edu or at 410-455-3836. Contributions to a gift may be sent to Andrea Wynter in Transportation Services or to Robin Kearney in the Business Services Center in the Commons.

The entire UMBC community, particularly his friends and the many students and alumni whose lives he has touched and influenced, and his colleagues in student affairs wish him happiness and fulfillment in his retirement. Good luck, George and Diane!