The 65-year-old Chair of the theater arts department will be retiring at the end on the semester in June.
Gene Putnam has been teaching for 42-years and 22 of those years at Pierce College says that it’s time to move on.
“I wanted to be a teacher since I was a child and I got to live that dream,” said Putnam. “There comes a point were you’ve done all you can and it’s time to turn a new page.”
Putnam worked close with students as a director and with other professors as the Chair or the theater arts department for 12-years.
“I’ve had many talented students over the years,” said Putnam. “We (The theater department) are a very tight knit group of people.”
The department has grown a lot over the years according to Putnam. With the addition of Musicals during his term at Pierce College to the expansion of equipment.
“I’m not leaving permanently,” said Putnam. “I’ll still be teaching a class or two and I will be leaving the department in really good hands.”
Directing musicals was Putnam’s favorite part of teaching but he loved getting to see new talented and dedicated students during his tenure as a teacher.
“Things are constantly changing every semester you have to evolve,” said Putnam. “You have to change with the times and the students.”
The department has done a great job in educating and preparing students according to Putnam.
“It’s hard to gauge the success of students because theater is such a competitive field,” said Putnam. “but a lot of our students have gone on to act and direct.”
As of now Putman remains the department chair until June 30. Elections will be hosted of Friday to pick the new Department Chair.