NMU secondary education professor Tom Hyslop will be retiring in December after over 44 years of working with the university.

Hyslop greatly contributed to the university through the secondary education program during his several years spent at Northern.

He helped to develop and strengthen the program by creating the curriculum involved with the major and also by being a mentor to those who went through it.

“He’s always been a person who has put students first,” said Ray Ventre, head of the English department.

According to Ventre, Hyslop is a good judge of character. He always made sure that his students were not only choosing the right courses for the program, but they were also placed in schools that fit their strengths best once they had completed their coursework. He could see potential in students that numbers and computers could never accurately measure.

“He cares about his students and about education as much as anyone, and more than most,” said Travis Margoni, NMU alumnus and writing instructor at the University of Utah. “I really don’t think I’d have the career I do today without Tom’s guidance. He’s the consummate educator and I still strive to be like him.”

He helped for several years in creating the course schedules for the English department. He worked in the development of the liberal studies programs at Northern as well as assisted in creating a lot of the literature courses that are currently offered to students. The different composition courses that all students are required to take is also in place because of Hyslop, Ventre said.

“It’s impossible to go into the local schools without knowing someone I’ve worked with,” Hyslop said.

According to Hyslop, he has taught nearly every course offered by the English department. The mythology course that is currently offered was also created and shaped into what it is today by him.

“The reason why I’m still here is that I really enjoy what I’m doing,” Hyslop said.

He first came to Northern as an undergraduate in the education program. He finished his bachelor’s degree in 1965 and his master’s in 1967.

He was hired into the English department in the same year and from there worked his way through the ranks to a full time position as professor, Ventre said.

“I respect his excellence in what he does,” Ventre said. “He is my colleague, mentor, adviser and friend.”

Over his years at Northern, Hyslop has received several awards for his teaching at NMU. He received the Fries award from the Michigan Council of Teachers of English.

He was also awarded twice as an outstanding teacher and recognized for excellence in teaching, said Hyslop.
Even after 44 years of working as a teacher, Hyslop is still not entirely sure that he is ready for retirement. As of right now, he does not know what he plans to do once he is retired.

“I was told that I would know it was time to retire when on a Wednesday, I would wish it were Friday,” Hyslop said. “That never happened.”

According to Ventre, working with Hyslop has been a great asset. Hyslop follows the direction he wants to go in.

He is a valuable resource in knowing what needs to be done as well as a go-to person for advice.

“You don’t replace a person like Tom; you look for someone who can develop into someone like him,” Ventre said.