John Bay, associate professor of economics, is retiring this year after 38 years of service to the University. He will be leaving USM after finishing the 2003 academic year. There will be a farewell reception for him on Wednesday, April 30 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Bay earned his B.A. in economics at what is now St. Ambrose University. He went on to get his masters and Ph.D. in economics at Boston College. He started teaching at USM while he was still writing his thesis.
“My third or fourth year I came close to accepting a job at St. Louis University, and we’ve been here ever since, and we’ve never regretted it,” he said, referring to himself and his wife, who he met at Boston College.
The snowy-haired professor is energetic and constantly in motion. He frequently uses the name of the person he talks to, injecting it whenever he pauses to think. His boundless energy and gregarious nature have earned him a glowing reputation at USM.
“Everyone likes him … he has a wonderful attitude of never being negative,” said Bruce Andrews, professor of business administration. He said this was a rare asset among administrators. “We like to grumble,” he joked.
John Houlihan, professor of business law testified to Bay’s gallantry.
“He throws great parties,” he said.
Bay said the most important attributes an administrator can possess is a sense of humor and the ability to build consensus.
“I have never thought that I’ve had all that many inspirations, but I have been able to work with people and collectively move forward,” he said.
“There were all kinds of things we disagreed on, but he would always listen to you and then he’d tell you his side.” Houlihan said. He said Bay’s knack for problem-solving made him a valuable dean.
“In terms of service to the University, he should be given a medal,” Houlihan said. Further, he said, Bay’s long career and active role in the university have made him a resource that will be sorely missed.
“I think he’s had one sabbatical in his whole time here. Most people take one every seven years,” Andrews said. “I don’t know anyone who didn’t take as many as they can.”
Since coming to USM, Bay has held a large number of upper-level administrative positions, most notably the dean of the School of Business and Economics and interim dean of the School of Business. He was the director of the Center for Teaching from 1993 to 2001. He currently serves on the board of directors at three nonprofit organizations, and has served on numerous boards in the past. He led the campaign to win the business school’s AACSB accreditation. According to the Business School’s Web site, USM’s business school is the only AACSB-accredited school in southern Maine. Bay has been teaching classes throughout his career.
“It’s nice to see someone who’s been an administrator as long as he’s been still in the classroom,” said Houlihan. Most administrators do not remain in the classroom.