Larry Mand, vice chancellor for Information Technology and Community Engagement, will be retiring from IU Southeast after working on IU grounds since 1976.
While working for IU Southeast, Mand has been a faculty member, an administrator and a teacher in the classroom.
“I’ve done so many things at IU Southeast and it has never been boring,” Mand said. “It is gratifying to feel that you’ve been an instrumental part of student’s lives. One of the most rewarding attributes of a smaller campus is watching it blossom and progress. I’ve enjoyed everything about working at IU Southeast.”
Mand began his career at IU Southeast as a visiting professor mathematics. Mand left IU Southeast for a private industry position for two years before returning to the university as an assistant professor of computer science
“After 1996, I took my current position and continued to teach one class,” Mand said. “Responsibility of the job overtook and I haven’t taught actively in five to seven years.”
Mathematics was not the only area he got a bachelor’s degree in while attending the University of Wisconsin. He received his bachelor’s degree in French.
Later, Mand attended the University of Kentucky where he earned his master’s degree and a doctorate in mathematics.
“A pivotal turning point in my life was going on to graduate school,” he said. “I had taught high school math for two years after receiving my bachelor’s and decided that I wanted to go to graduate school for math.”
“None of the things that I have accomplished while at IU Southeast would’ve happened without my Ph.D,” Mand said.
Mand’s accomplishments at IU Southeast extend from his progression with the IT Department to his traveling. During his career at IU, Mand and his family spent two years in Shah Alam, Malaysia, where he lived in a suburb and taught computer science.
During his career at IU, Mand and his family spent two years in Shah Alam, Malaysia, where he taught computer science.
“It was a wonderful opportunity to live abroad,” he said. “My sons were very young at the time and attended school there for a couple years. This opportunity was available because of IU and several other faculty members also had the same opportunity.”
In fall of 1994, Mand was able to travel to Malaysia for six months to review the program. Since Mand’s two year stay in Malaysia, the Mands have remained in contact with their native friends.
“My family and I keep in touch and visit our friends in Malaysia once or twice a year,” Mand said. “We maintain close contact with them.”
“The friends we made and the time we spent in Malaysia was very comfortable, and we feel like it is our second home. Malaysia is a beautiful country with spectacular food,” Mand said. The Mands have developed an interest in traveling the world.
Mand has visited Southern France, the Tuscany area, Italy, Thailand, Indonesia, Cambodia, Australia and various places in Europe.
“We do a lot of traveling around the world and just inside the United States, as well. It is great to just take off and go somewhere,” Mand said.
Mand was born in a small town called Chilton, Wis., where he took part in outdoor activities often.
“Where I grew up was very outdoor-oriented,” Mand said. “Whether it’s cold or hot in Wisconsin, you might as well go out and enjoy the outdoors. The summers are beautiful, and I loved spending time on the lake.”
Although Mand’s retirement is up and coming, he said he does not have any special plans for the moment besides reading and traveling more. He does plan, however, to continue his involvement in economic development within the region.
“I have more than enough to involve myself in,” he said. “There are so many things that need help that I can contribute to; I don’t expect to be bored.”
Mand said he hopes to travel to South America during his retirement and build up his Spanish-speaking ability.
“I speak French, and, when I travel to France, I can get by just fine.” Mand said. “I’ve started to learn Spanish and would like to travel to South America in hopes of expanding my Spanish proficiency.”
Mand said he is retiring with well-wishes to IU Southeast and has confidence in IU Southeast’s progression and advancement.
“I thought it was a good time to make a transition,” he said. “The strength of the program is growing. There is housing on campus and a new library.
“It has been an awarding joy to be a part of this campus and its accomplishments,” Mand said. “The university and the IT Program are beginning to implement new plans and have wrapped up for the decade.
“With my retirement, it will allow someone else to step in and carry us forward,” Mand said.
By COURTNEY
MCKINLEY
Staff Writer
comckinl@ius.edu