Thibodeau: On the road to recovery, retirement

By Phil Pfuehler

In one respect, UW-River Falls Chancellor Gary Thibodeau has beaten the odds.

Of his retirement this spring, he quips, "With my 15 years here at the university, I've added to the national average. The average length of stay for chancellors is 4.7 years."

Thibodeau is also beating tough odds from colon cancer. "I'm doing very well," he said. "I've even gained my weight back, which has always been easy for me to do."

With his academic background, Thibodeau describes his cancer treatments at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., as "an educational experience."

He had colon surgery first. Now he's into the second stage of treatments combining radiation and chemotherapy.

"It's been taxing at times, almost more stressful because of what I know as a biological scientist," Thibodeau said. "I'm aware of what that amount of radiation can do, what the side effects can be."

The radiation was delivered by what Thibodeau called a "piece of ominous, daunting equipment." A linear accelerator - located in an underground chamber - transmitted a beam of 20 million electron volts through an anatomical portal in just seconds.

Thibodeau came upon his condition unexpectedly late last summer.

"It was an advanced tumor, invasive, and it required an aggressive treatment," he said. "I had no real symptoms until just before I went in to see the doctor. I was feeling fine. In fact, I had just come back from vacation."

Thibodeau said the tumor is gone and the outlook hopeful. He will continue with chemotherapy and tests to spot any spreading cancer cells.

During the months of cancer treatments, Thibodeau has remained on the job.

"I'm grateful for the flexible schedule that (UW-System) President Katharine Lyall approved," he said. "I have a direct computer line at my house. I do telecommuting. And I also come in and work at my office."

Thibodeau has cut back traveling, especially trips to Madison. He credits UW-RF Provost Bob Milam and Vice Chancellor Virgil Nylander for filling in with their usual efficiency.

"You need a good team environment," Thibodeau said. "Bob and Virgil have gone to meetings so I could stay at this office. It's been an absolute blessing professionally to have these two hardworking, dedicated people taking up the slack. I was comfortable having them do so, and I deeply appreciate their efforts."

Thibodeau has no regrets about retiring. Even in good health, he was ready to retire either this year or next.

"I feel very comfortable having made my decision to retire," he said. "The university is in excellent condition and poised to take the next step. We're a regional university, but we have nationally recognized programs that we need to build on."

"There are so many reasons why this institution appeals to me. We're a university of opportunity for students, yet we have increasingly high standards. We have a talented, highly credentialed faculty. Our liberal arts core is strong, surrounded by professional programs."

While proud of new programs and majors at UW-RF, Thibodeau said a liberal arts education can't be replaced.

"You need to be able to live a life, as well as make a living," he said. "You want to be able to feel good about what you're doing and to contribute to your community."

Monday night Thibodeau will be honored for his community contributions. The River Falls Chamber of Commerce voted him "1999 Citizen of the Year." Thibodeau will formally receive the honor at a recognition banquet at UW-RF's Rodli Commons.

Thibodeau said the award really epitomizes the quality work that all nominees - including David Markson, Tricia McMahon and Mary Betzel - have made toward the community.

"I am pleased for the award because it's also symbolic of the interface between this campus and the community, how the two connect," Thibodeau said. "I feel very special to accept the award."

As for the future of UW-RF, Thibodeau referred to the theme of the university's 125th anniversary celebration: Building on tradition.

"You want to push the envelope to do better and grow, but yet you have to hold on for dear life to the other things that are your strengths," he said.

Thibodeau mentioned new majors in dairy science and teaching English as a second language as ways the university has extended its scope. He said the latter major is becoming more important with the influx of non-English speaking ethnic groups to the Twin Cities.

Thibodeau said the university was truly building on a tradition with the opening last fall of the new teachers education center. The new building will be dedicated in May with a ceremony that also commemorates the university's 125th anniversary.

More than anything, Thibodeau will miss mixing with so many people - especially students, but also faculty members, citizens, and lawmakers. He has also developed a rapport with Gov. Tommy Thompson, who phoned Thibodeau at the hospital following his surgery and continues to check on his progress.

"He also called my wife at home," Thibodeau said. "That was a personal touch and I was very appreciative."

Thompson was elected governor in 1986, one year after Thibodeau became UW-RF chancellor. The working relationship between the two is pragmatic.

"I appreciate the challenges of his job," Thibodeau said. "He has an array of demands for available dollars. When we were going through the request for South Hall (remodeling) funds ($3.6 million) and got turned down the first time, I wrote back and told him I respected his position, but that I would continue with our request. The second time around he backed us."

Thibodeau said a chancellor must establish political ties in order to secure funding for key projects, such as the recent $2-million renovation of the Chalmer Davee Library. Thibodeau says he tries to get close to a number of key legislators, not just ones from this area.

Thibodeau and his wife Emogene will stay in River Falls after he retires this spring.

"River Falls is hard to beat," he said. "We want to maintain our home here, but still have time to travel. We both like traveling and the growth that goes with it.

"And we have our hobbies, like antiques, and I want to do some big-game hunting - elk and deer. I'd also like to do a little fishing."

Thibodeau may also continue his writing. He is the author of five major science textbooks, including two he wrote since becoming UW-RF chancellor.

A new book, he says, would chronicle his experiences and insights as chancellor of a wonderful small university in a charming Midwestern community.