A UNMC memory from Dr. Harn

At the annual faculty meeting on April 25, UNMC will recognize 15 faculty members who have worked at the university for 40 or 30 years.

Among those who will be honored is Stan Harn, Ph.D., professor of oral biology in the College of Dentistry, who has been at the university for 40 years.

Below Dr. Harn shares a memory from his time at UNMC.

I have immensely enjoyed my 40 years at the university and have had countless memorable experiences.

My latest happened just a few weeks ago when I received an email telling me that I was to be honored at the Annual Faculty Meeting for my 40 years of service.

Stan Harn, Ph.D.

I immediately responded and said, “Thank you, but you have miscounted. This is my 39th year.”

However, I did not send it. Instead I asked the departmental secretary how long I have taught here. She checked and reported back, “40 years!”

Now a little background, about five years ago, some started to ask when I’d retire. To a select few, I would say I would like to teach 40 years and then I would probably retire.

I can explicitly remember two years ago saying, “This is my 37th year and I will decide at 40.”

Last year I said it was my 38th year and this year I have been saying this is my 39th year and I will decide next year.

Upon hearing this story, a colleague said, “It makes sense — when you get old, you lose the capacity to keep track of time as well as the ability to count.”

So now I am saying I will teach 41 years and then decide.

Read UNMC Today in the coming days to hear from more faculty members who will be recognized at the annual faculty meeting for 40 or 30 years of service.