Otis J. Sproul, Dean of the College of Engineering and Physical Sciences for the last 13 years, retired at the end of June, 1995. Dr. Sproul was born and raised in Maine, and received his BS and MS degrees in Civil Engineering from the University of Maine. He received the PhD in sanitary engineering from Washington University in 1961 and returned to UMaine to teach and direct its environmental program. He moved to Ohio State University in 1977 and became the chairman of the Civil Engineering Department there before coming to UNH in 1982.

Dr. Sproul developed guidelines for Maine's solid waste management program, and directed a study on air resources that formed the basis of Maine's present air quality standards. He consults regularly and plans on continuing that consulting in retirement.

Beyond leading the College of Engineering and Physical Sciences through a period of rapid growth and then recession and budget restraint, Dean Sproul has been known for his encouragement of special programs. He encouraged and participated in proposals to improve K-12 science and math education in the state of New Hampshire. Dr. Sproul was also instrumental in the initiation of the NH Industrial Research Center (IRC), which assists New Hampshire industries in becoming more competitive, thereby retaining and increasing industrial employment. He conceived of the idea and acted as spokesman for it as it progressed through the Legislature.

Otis and his wife Dorothy are known for their collegial and community support. Each September they host a reception for all the E&PS faculty and staff. Their gracious manner and interest in all the personnel associated with the College have been important characteristics of his tenure as Dean. We would be remiss if we didn't mention his E&PS Golf Tournament each summer. This event, well attended by the would-be business types in the College, serves the purpose of bringing out all the tall tales well before the start of the new academic year, thus keeping fall semester pretty much on the up and up!

Otis's interest in his faculty is especially evident to those who have had life threatening operations and hospital stays: more than once he has appeared unexpectedly at bedside to bring his good wishes.

The College will miss Otis in the Dean's office but will still enjoy his company since the Sprouls will remain in Durham as permanent residents when they are not traveling. And as for traveling, the Sprouls drove off to Alaska in late June to visit friends, see sights, and most importantly (for Otis), to fish in northern Alaska. So fish and fishing stories will undoubtedly circulate around Kingsbury for years to come.