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- Dr. Connie Hines and Dr. Jeff Kromrey
College of Education Faculty Oral Histories
Dr. Connie Hines and Dr. Jeff Kromrey
CH: Yes, but we have worked together very well and just working with Jeff has been a rewarding, and very, very rewarding experience for me over the years. We’ve always worked together. When I was in the Dean’s Office he made sure that I continued my research, he really did make sure of that and I appreciate that so much. I stayed connected with research and with working with him and other of my colleagues in the department. That really has helped a lot in terms of the transition, coming back to the department. I think the thing that I’m most proud of is my work with students and the difference I believe that I may have made. Just the little things in students’ lives either working as part of their dissertation committee helping them through that process or when I was in the Dean’s Office helping them solve problems that they had. For me, it was more in terms of those contributions to individuals along the way. Now, do you want me to talk about Jeff?
LB: Yes.
CH: In terms of Jeff, you know, he has a national reputation, his publications are wonderful, and he’s a great mentor to students and young faculty. There are so many students who owe so much to Jeff in terms of the work that he has done with them and the quality of research that they have been able to produce, as well as the research awards they have received under his mentorship. He has been a tremendous leader and just a wonderful mentor to all our students.
LB: Jeff you want to add anything to that?
JK: I think what I’m most proud of in my career so far, and I think I still have a few years left, is being able to bring together the research that I love to do just for fun and the training of doctoral students. Those just fit together naturally in the measurement department. I would like to think about, in my case, is statistics. I love statistics and how these things behave under what conditions and I try to teach that stuff to students at the same time. Every now and then, you get a student who says, “That’s really interesting. Can we talk some more about that after class?’ Then you go off and start some research together and turn around twice and he’s doing a dissertation on that topic. It’s just a lot of fun—the whole ride has been just oodles of fun.
LB: What are some of your favorite memories or funny stories in those memories about USF, things that were unusual?
CH: Let’s just say that I remember Joe Mazur, our former department chair. One of the funny things is remembering Joe arriving at the office in the mornings and hearing him coming down the hallway saying, “And how are the hired hands today?” I still remember that. It was a wonderful way to greet us. Another of my other favorite stories is about what happened at one of our department meetings. Marilyn Hall likes to play all sorts of jokes and tricks on her husband, Bruce. I think this particular day it was Bruce’s birthday. At the meeting there was Doug Stone in his bowtie. He used to always wear a bowtie. And there was Joe, with a very businesslike demeanor at the head of the table, and Roger Wilk, a former dean, looking most professional. Our meeting had started when we heard a knock on the door. I opened the door and there was this lady, scantly dressed actually, who said “is there a Bruce Hall here?” We all pointed to Bruce. She came into the room sat on Bruce’s lap and proceeded to sing happy birthday. We were stunned, and poor Bruce was totally embarrassed. Of course, though Marilyn was not there, we figured she had played this joke on Bruce. It was just the funniest, funniest thing with poor Bruce there with all of us.
LB: Some light moments.
CH: Some light moments, yes. That’s right. We’ve had some light moments along the way. And it is fun to work with people like that who you know can enjoy life, can enjoy a good laugh and just keep on going.
LB: I saw Joe Mazur recently at the luncheon.
CH: Yes, he hasn’t changed.
JK: He’s very much the same.
LB: Still going strong.
CH: That’s right, yes.
LB: I hope you folks had an opportunity to speak with him.
CH: Oh, yes. It was wonderful to see him because he’s so committed to the College and the University. Darrell Bostow and I visited him the other day and he was still asking about people and who’s doing what.
JK: I was trying to think if I had any additional stories to add to those as well. I could remember when I was a graduate student in the department and Joe Mazur was the chair at that time. He was always the very good leader and would let everyone know he was the leader. When he would want to talk to me another graduate student in the department would come down to my office, knock on the door and say “You’re in trouble. The principal wants to see you. Get in there right now.” Of course Joe was always just so, so very nice and he loved to share the stuff that he knows. He would say “just watch this, pay attention to me, just follow and learn.” I would watch him!