Phoebe Roeder to Retire
Liberal studies coordinator has served for 29 years.
Now, after 29 years at SDSU, Roeder is retiring in mid-August, at the end of the summer 2014 semester.
Roeder earned a doctoral degree in chemistry from the University of California, San Diego and began teaching in SDSU’s Department of Natural Sciences in 1985.
After developing the first liberal studies portfolio for SDSU students, she was hired to manage the Liberal Studies Program, designed for future teachers, primarily at the elementary level.
Since 1992, she has filled dual roles as liberal studies coordinator and professor of science. She teaches Natural Science 100, which includes both physics and chemistry.
A fervent proponent of global environmental conservation, Roeder invites students to her home to read electric, gas and water meters. It is an exercise that teaches them about resource consumption and, ultimately challenges them to consider reducing their use of precious natural resources.
“I know of no one more committed to her students than Phoebe Roeder,” said Geoff Chase, dean of Undergraduate Studies. “She makes time to visit with them, mentor them, and she teaches them with energy and passion. She embodies — for all students and for all of us at SDSU — intellectual inquiry, a love of learning and a deep commitment to education at all levels.”
In retirement, Roeder plans to spend more time seeing family, traveling and visiting art museums with her husband, Stephen, retired SDSU professor of physics and former dean of the Imperial Valley Campus.
She will also tend her expansive yard and garden — a lush field of native plants that needs watering only once every three weeks! Never one to miss a teaching opportunity, Roeder has often used her plants as classroom teaching tools.
The SDSU campus community is invited to a retirement reception for Roeder at 4:30 p.m., Thursday, May 1, on the patio of the Faculty/Staff Club.
