Innovision Fall 2019

SPRING 2019 | 29 RETIRING FACULTY December 2019 will mark the last semester of Dr. Roger Hibb’s career at Kutztown University; he has worked for Kutztown for 21 years. He began his journey at Kutztown by responding to an ad in the Philadelphia Inquirer for a part-time position. From then on, Dr. Hibbs says he embarked on the best job he’s ever had. Teaching wasn’t always his main career path. Starting in the 11th grade, Dr. Hibbs worked for Anthony & Sylvan Pools. By the time he was 23 years old, he was a store manager and moved up to being a general manager. He moved quickly through the managerial and sales positions due to the experience he acquired during high school. Dr. Hibbs was promoted to Regional Sales Manager before leaving the pool industry. Dr. Hibbs went on to be an adjunct professor at eight different schools in Pennsylvania and one in New Jersey. However, he wanted to be taken in as a full-time instructor. He received a call from the chair of the Department of Business Administration asking him to submit his resume. He says, “I would’ve gone to work at any school that offered me a full-time position, but this is the one that I wanted.” Kutztown University had that magic touch for him. He liked all the students, the professors made him feel included, he had an office and he liked that he felt like he was contributing. From there, Dr. Hibbs began collecting great memories from students and abroad experiences. During his time at Kutztown University, he had the opportunity to teach in China. For him, this stint of teaching was emotionally overwhelming for him, but also very gratifying. He says, “I would call up my wife everyday and I would always say to her ‘You are not gonna believe what happened to me today.’” He loved diving deep into the history and the culture of China. ROGER HIBBS Chair of Department of Business Administration Alongside his abroad experience, one of his favorite things about KU are the memorable moments with students. He says, “Obviously, the student experiences are the ones that stick with you most.” For example, he told a story about an older student who came back to get a degree in business administration because she felt she was getting nowhere in her job. She stuck out to him because every day she would ask questions for an hour before class. By the end of her time at KU, she graduated with honors and received a promotion at her job. He says, “She was one of those people that you want a whole classroom full of because her goal was to excel.” Dr. Hibbs will miss the interaction with his students the most. Watching his students grow is always the most gratifying part for him. “As an adviser, taking someone as a freshman who struggled and then watching them come across the stage at graduation and making eye contact with them is incredible. It’s a good feeling because you know and they know that this journey changed their life,” he says. As he transitions away from Kutztown University, Dr. Hibbs wants his students to always begin with the end in mind and to always dream big. His best advice for students stems from a classic cliché. He says, “The cliché says, ‘Shoot for the moon and you’ll end up among the stars.’ I change it to ‘Shoot for the stars. The worst that’ll happen is that you’ll end up on the moon.’ Shoot big. Maybe you won’t become the president of marketing for the Eagles. Maybe you will be the director of player personnel for the Reading Phillies. You’re still a success.” With this is mind, Roger believes students should do whatever is in their power to help boost their identity and brand. He says, “Always go prepared into a job interview to show you’re not just qualified, but you’re a proven performer.” In the future, Dr. Hibbs and his wife plan to travel via cruise. He has a couple trips in mind: a cruise from Boston, up around Maine into Quebec City or Montreal, a cruise from Seattle up into Alaska or a cruise from Miami to Los Angeles through the Panama Canal.