To Serve and to Teach

The Francis College of Engineering currently has 21 lecturers, five of them in visiting roles. These full-time faculty members teach three to four courses per semester across a variety of disciplines, while also taking on various other duties such as student-club and academic advisers, recruiters and transfer coordinators.

“We are truly fortunate to have such a talented group of lecturers on campus,” says Dean Joseph Hartman. “They provide invaluable service to the college. They are tremendous educators, whether in the classroom, labs or even hallways, and have a passion for ensuring student success. I doubt we could function without them.” 

Academically, each lecturer holds a doctoral degree. Practically, each lecturer on average has accumulated professional experience exceeding 10 years, whether in industry, research laboratories or teaching at other institutions. “This diversity and depth of knowledge truly enhances the educational experience of our students,” says Hartman.

Five of these lecturers share a common experience: military service. They served honorably in the U.S. Armed Forces—Army, Air Force, Navy and Coast Guard—and try to impart virtues in students such as dedication, professionalism, integrity, toughness, flexibility and a “can-do” attitude. Here are their stories:

Paul DeStefano went to U.S. Coast Guard Academy after high-school graduation and was commissioned into active duty as ensign in 1978. He served in various duties at several locations in Florida, New York and Virginia. He resigned his commission and received an honorable discharge in 1988 as lieutenant in the Coast Guard, and then served in the U.S. Naval Reserve (Seabee battalion in New York) as lieutenant for a short term. He was awarded the Coast Guard Commendation Medal and Achievement Medal for outstanding service in several engineering projects.

“I’m proud to have served my country, protecting our shores and supporting multiple missions of the Coast Guard as a civil engineer,” says DeStefano. “The military provides excellent opportunities for leadership and management as well as practical education and professional practice. All of these play a significant role in teaching, mentoring and advising young adults toward developing their careers in the professional practice of civil engineering.”

Edward Hajduk was an enlisted soldier (active duty) in the U.S. Army from 1987 to 1990, and served in the Massachusetts National Guard from 1990 to 1994. “I decided to join the military after high school because I wanted to serve my country and earn money for college,” he says.

Hajduk was a corporal and a sergeant when he left the Army and the National Guard, respectively. During his Army tour of duty, he served 2½ years with the 3rd Infantry Division in West Germany. In the National Guard, he served with the 101st Field Artillery in Lynn, Mass. He was awarded five Army Achievement Medals and a Commendation Medal for his service.

“In the military, I learned that repetition is a key component in learning,” says Hajduk. “I also learned that people learn by doing. I try to incorporate these concepts into my courses whenever possible. The military also taught me that service to others is important. This is another trait I try to incorporate into my work at UMass Lowell, which is why I am faculty advisor to several student groups and do various outreach to the community.”

“When I was in high school I wanted to do something exciting and at the same time not financially burden my parents,” says Michele Putko. “The U.S. Military Academy at West Point had just started to admit females at the time. I applied and became the first female from my county in Western Massachusetts to be accepted as a cadet. I didn’t consider myself a trailblazer, but rather lucky that the academy opened its door to women just in time for me.”

At West Point, Putko studied civil engineering and became a logistics officer in the Ordnance Corps. After graduating in 1983, she served on active duty for 28 years, retiring in 2011 with the rank of Army colonel. She served several tours of duty, including her role as the first base commander at LSA Anaconda in Balad, Iraq, at the onset of the Iraq War. She also served as assistant chief of staff for logistics in the Army’s 32nd Air and Missile Defense Command, and was responsible for coordinating the deployment and maintenance of U.S. Patriot missile systems across the globe. She received numerous awards during her service, including the Bronze Star, Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal, U.S. and German Parachutists Badge and the Army Space Badge.

“In the military I learned a lot about life and leadership,” says Putko. “I try to instill the same lessons in my students—that is, to focus on academics, don’t accept failure, don’t ever give up and help your classmates. I believe academic success is mostly about attitude and work ethic, and I encourage my students to work hard, stay positive, get help when needed and give help too!”

“An Air Force ROTC scholarship was the only way for my parents to afford Cornell University, so I joined the service in 1988,” says Walter Thomas. After completing pilot training and earning his wings, he went on to become an airlift pilot, flying the Lockheed C-141B Starlifter, the Beechcraft C-12 Huron and the C-21 Learjet, and serving as instructor pilot for all three aircraft. He flew numerous support missions for Operation Desert Storm in the Persian Gulf and planned humanitarian relief efforts in Africa. He spent a tour with the 3rd Air Force in England and learned how to fly the Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker, serving as operations officer of a tanker squadron at MacDill Air Force Base in Florida.

He ended his military service in 2008 in Alaska as chief of staff for a commander of a training wing at Eielson Air Force Base.

“All told, I spent just over 20 years on active duty, and have logged more than 4,000 hours of flying time,” says Thomas, who attained a rank of lieutenant colonel. He received numerous Air Force decorations, including the Meritorious Service Medal, Aerial Achievement Medal and Humanitarian Service Medal.

He adds: “The discipline and time-management skills I learned in the military certainly helped me to prepare and organize new classes. More importantly, my time as instructor pilot taught me many instruction techniques that I apply in class, such as how to break down a complicated subject into easier-to-understand pieces. I had a lot of experience working with young men and women in the military, and that made my transition to the classroom easy and smooth.”

Growing up in the small eastern Maine town of Calais, Lawrence Thompson always wanted to go somewhere and see something. Faced with limited job opportunities in the area, he decided to enlist in the Navy in 1979, right after high school. During his 18-month training, he studied basic electronics, radars, digital computers and electromechanical control systems for shipboard weapon systems. Afterward, he was assigned to the guided-missile frigate USS Jack Williams (FFG-24), where spent the remainder of his enlistment.

Thompson’s primary role aboard the ship was fire controlman. He also he served on the ship’s master-at-arms and self-defense forces and shore patrol. He has sailed through the Panama and Suez canals and in all five major oceans. During these deployments, he made nearly 30 ports of call in more than 20 different countries. While in the Mediterranean, the ship provided air cover for the USS New Jersey off the coast of Lebanon, following the deadly attack on the U.S. Marines compound in Beirut in 1983. Thompson was one of about 20 sailors from the Jack Williams sent ashore to assist with search and recovery efforts. He completed his enlistment in 1985 as first-class fire controlman, and had been awarded a Presidential Unit Citation, Navy Expeditionary Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Battle Efficiency Ribbon, Sea Service Ribbon and various letters of commendation.

Thompson’s technical training comes through in the Instrumentation Laboratory course he teaches at the Francis College of Engineering. “I believe my military training and experience have given me a unique perspective on the meaning of teamwork and the individuals’ personal responsibility to the team to ensure success,” he says.