Alexandra Lozano
Assistant Editor

After teaching here for four years, Associate Professor of English Eric Grekowicz will soon join the growing list of Arts and Sciences faculty who are leaving the University for opportunities elsewhere.

In December, Grekowicz plans to move to his home state of Michigan, where he accepted the position of dean of general education at Baker College in Flint, Mich.

“I’ve got a new job,” Grekowicz said. “I’m going back to where I came from.”

“I will probably be teaching,” he added. “But I’ll mostly be doing administrative work. Professionally, I’m (taking) a step up in rank.”

His primary consideration, however, for taking this job, was family, he said.

“All of my family and my wife’s family are in Michigan. My parents are
getting older and I feel like I need to be there for them.”
Michael Laponis, professor of communications, said Grekowicz will be missed.

“I think it’s a huge loss to the University,” Laponis said. “As a colleague he seems really hard working. Students really enjoy him, so I’m sorry to see him go.”

In addition to his teaching duties here, Grekowicz has served as director of the university’s writing program.

“I came (here) in August of 2001,” Grekowicz said. “Last year I was promoted to associate professor.”

Grekowicz has also served on a variety of faculty committees, including a stint as chair?man of the general education committee.

With other professors, he created English 109, a class designed for students not ready to enter the college level English 110 class.

“Hopefully, I’ve (promoted) the idea that writing is important to all of us,” Grekowicz said. “I’m also leaving behind a sense of collaboration.”
Laponis noted Grekowicz’s interest in computers and technology. “He seems really industrious and has a lot of good ideas for students.”
Students know Grekowicz for his alternative approaches to teaching English. His syllabi include “Alice in Wonderland,” “The Matrix” and “The “X-Files.”

Lori Hurtado, a sophomore business administration major currently in one of Grekowicz’s classes, said he makes the material easy to understand.

“If I did take another English class, I would have liked him as a professor,” Hurtado said.”He goes beyond the video, the books. He takes us there and it’s weird and cool at the same time.”
Grekowicz said he doubts he will ever return to ULV.

“At this point in time because my parents are still alive I don’t see that happening anytime soon.”

“He’s left quite an impact,” Laponis said.

Alexandra Lozano can be reached at himelozano@ juno.com.