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The Department will bid farewell to one of its members after more than three decades of serving the Ithaca community: Professor Zenon Wasyliw. Zenon’s expertise in Russian history, the USSR, and social studies teacher education means his classes have always been well-attended and popular across the student body. He is well known for his warm demeanor and welcoming environment. He has impacted the Department in innumerable ways.

You’ve had a long, influential career at IC! What are some of your most memorable experiences as a faculty member in the history department at IC?

Prof. Zenon Wasyliw: As I retire, I’m very proud of all the members of the department. I had a part in hiring people when I was department chair. That was a very positive piece in seeing the department transition. I also coordinated the social studies teacher education program, and I was very pleased with how it progressed from initially just an undergraduate program. We developed an MAT program, and in my last few years, we had students getting degrees coming from Cornell, Penn, University of Chicago, and Syracuse, including our own very good students. And that’s another piece to all of this: I hear so often from alumni. Whether they’re teaching or administrators or whether they’re in different careers, from as far back as 1991. A few of them are regularly in contact with me.

What are you most proud of in your time at IC?

ZW: I really enjoy teaching, and I think that comes out. Having students interact in the classroom is really important, and having students who want to be in my class is a big difference as well. I was involved in a number of international programs, which took me to different parts of the world.

You’ve stayed in touch with a lot of alums over the years. What are you most struck by when you hear from alums?

ZW: People have so many interesting careers! As expected, we have teachers, we have professors, and we have people who work in museums. One alum is a chef in Texas and has his own restaurant and company. Others are in the medical field. Another has a simulation company in terms of battles. He works with West Point and other groups. My main thing is that people are satisfied with their lives. They’re very successful.

Any thoughts you especially want to share with our alumni for this newsletter?

ZW: Please continue staying in contact! I am now on Instagram as well. It’s not just history and social studies majors. I’ve really connected with students from Park and the health sciences. And that’s the other great thing about Ithaca College: we have so many different opportunities for students. Everything is really positive, and perhaps the most significant of all is when I was hired and another faculty member was placed in the same office, we became a happy couple. Family is really important.

What are your plans once you retire?

ZW: I’ve had so many organizations already contacting me. I have a number of academic projects and new projects as well. I might take voice lessons, among other things. Following up on my projects. I’m a people person, so I’ll find things to do.