Dr. Rodney Michael has been passionately teaching physics to Ashland University students since 1997. Approaching the end of the semester, he will retire, concluding his role as an associate professor of physics.  

Michael has enjoyed many aspects of AU in his 28 years here, his favorite being his time with the students. He enjoys working through equations and measurements with them on the white board in his office. 

He said, “My favorite part is working on that board with my students. Because that’s all we’re doing in class. They come in and ask questions and we work through it on the board. . . I’m mostly around my physics majors that were quite remarkable to get to know.” 

The job opening brought him to AU, but Michael’s passion for science began when he was young. He chose AU for its community and for its individualism, “It was one of several offers that I had. I liked the autonomy that I would have over in the lab; I liked the people I met here – It was close to family.” 

Michael has always loved science. His schooling took him from Northland College in Ashland, Wisconsin, to Xavier University in Cincinnati, Ohio, and then to his PhD program at The Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio. He first studied forestry and wildlife management in the 70s, and eventually had to take a biology class, which led him to becoming a biology major. His new major led him to take a physics class. 

“I fell in love with it,” he said. “it’s been physics ever since.” 

As well as physics, Michael enjoys many different hobbies in his free time, including glass blowing, photography, collecting music, and most recently, gardening.  

After retirement, Michael plans to enjoy these hobbies and fix up his house. He lives in the Ashland area and plans to spend his time sprucing up the house he bought years back. After the big project, he plans to travel.  

In the biography he wrote for his retirement party, he said, “Every year I travel somewhere interesting and have been in several European countries, north of the arctic circle in Sweden for the Winter Solstice, Morocco, Nepal, and Hawaii. One item I plan on achieving is walking on every continent; I have three left to go. I think my first trip after I retire will be to see the National Parks in Utah.” 

For any incoming professors, Michael has one piece of advice.  

“Enjoy the students,” he said. “Take the time to get to know them and make yourself available.”