A transition for Professor Conner

After a 31-year career at Capitol Technology University, Dr. Charles D. Conner is moving on. The veteran professor announced he was stepping down as a full-time professor at the end of the fall semester.

He will be relocating to Kentucky to take up a faculty position at Morehead State University, while continuing to serve the Capitol community in an adjunct capacity.

Students and alums took the opportunity to reflect on Conner's contributions to the university and the impact he has had on them personally.

"He will be sorely missed by all," James Becerra wrote on the university's Facebook page, describing Conner as “a good professor who gave freely of his time."

Antonio Maceo voiced similar sentiments. Conner is "an institution at Capitol," he wrote.

Conner is a two-time winner of the Faculty Service to Community Award and is known around campus for his enthusiasm about his subject and about teaching.

He is also known for the breadth of his interests. A polymath who is well-versed in the humanities in addition to engineering and science, it is not uncommon to find him engaged in a spirited discussion about economics, philosophy or pop culture -- when he's not busy tinkering with an Arduino or poring over circuitry.

Capitology met up with Conner during finals week and asked him what he has valued most about Capitol during his career here. He summed it up in one word: flexibility.

Professors, he said, have considerable freedom to shape the curriculum they teach. "If you have an idea for a course, you propose it. And half the time it will get adopted," he said. 

Such an approach, he noted, helps foster creative thinking and innovation. "That's the whole point of academia," Conner said.

Dr. William Vic Maconachy, vice president of academic affairs, congratulated Conner on his new teaching and research opportunity and said the university wishes him well.

“His contributions through the years have been enormous,” Dr. Maconachy said. “With his can-do attitude, he has made things happen for students, while serving as a peer mentor to many of the younger faculty.”

“He will be sorely missed by students, faculty and staff alike.”