The story of this “new math” began last summer when Hilburn, who is professor of management and marketing, received a call from Guy Furgiuele, asking about her ethics class. “He wanted to take the class to satisfy the professional development requirement for the renewal of his professional engineer’s license,” the professor recalled. “He also explained that he was 80 years old and asked if I would mind a senior citizen in my class.”

Hilburn encouraged Furgiuele to enroll and when fall classes began, he became one of her students.

Along with his textbook and notebook, Hilburn’s new student brought rich experiences into the classroom of mainly 20-something students.

“I originally intended to go to The University of Pittsburgh,” said Furgiuele, who served in General George Patton’s 80th Infantry Division during World War II.”

He said he saw Patton twice. Both times the legendary general was, “spittin’ nails and fire,” as Furguiele remembered, “but he could fire people up. He definitely had a vulgar mouth, but probably used a lot of that rough language for effect.”

After the war, Furgiuele returned to Pennsylvania, where he married his high school sweetheart and then, as in many lives at that time, fate and opportunity intervened. “I came to Houston to visit a foxhole buddy in 1946,” he said. “I wanted to meet his family and wanted them to meet my new wife. My buddy convinced me to stay in Houston and I graduated from the University of Houston in 1951 with a degree in mechanical engineering.”

The couple moved back to Pittsburgh, but after their first winter back where it snows deep and often, they returned to Houston, where Furgiuele went to work for Bovay Engineering. 

The company’s founder–Harry Bovay, now in his 90s–became a father figure as well as a mentor to the young and eager engineer. Eventually, Furgiuele became the president and CEO there. “I had a wonderful career because Mr. Bovay gave the guidance and opportunity and I had a great wife supporting me at every step,” he said. 

After his official retirement in 1992, the engineer has continued to serve as a consultant for a number of projects. However, four years ago, the Society of Professional Engineers passed a new law, mandating that licenses could be renewed only if continuing education hours–in any relevant subject–were completed.

“Two years ago, I went to Kingwood College and took a creative writing course–a wonderful course–so I could write my autobiography for my children and grandchildren,” Furgiuele explained. “This past year, I needed to take another class for my continuing education requirement and I wanted to take an ethics course. Kingwood offered it online, but I wanted to take a classroom course so I could hear what kids have been thinking.”

That’s when he called Hilburn.

The professor, whose parents are about Furgiuele’s same age, said she envisioned the possibilities in two scenarios. “I thought he would either be really outgoing and ‘with it’–or a total pain.”

What she discovered in her senior student was a treasure of willingly shared life experiences and a mentor to many of her students. “He’s absolutely great,” Hilburn said. “When I put students in groups, he allows students to take the lead and always encourages young people to comment first, to do the work.”

“It took some courage that first time for the writing class at Kingwood,” Furgiuele said. “This time, I was excited…I knew what was coming. In the beginning, I encouraged the other students to talk. Now, it’s hard to get a word in edgewise.” 

Furgiuele said the classroom experience at North Harris College has been an awakening. “This is a highly diverse classroom–and I’m excited to go to class each week, to listen, share and talk. Everybody gets to put in their two cents and you really get a feel for what a variety of people are thinking.”

Jose Hernandez, 22 and one of Furgiuele’s classmates, said having a senior with such a wealth of experiences to share has added a new dimension to the class and to class discussions.

“Guy brings a lifetime of work experiences that he freely shares with us,” said Hernandez, who will complete his associate degree in business at NHC in May. “He’s also always upbeat and positive and he encourages us…like a mentor.”

Hernandez said, because he’s working, that he often asks Furgiuele for advice. “Guy is really humble, but he really helps me by encouraging me to work through situations–because he’s been there and he’s experienced some of the same situations I’m going through now.”

Most of all, having someone who has spent 50 years in business in class has provided yet another element of diversity in the class that includes multiple ethnicities and nationalities. “This class has been extremely beneficial because everyone brings a different insight into the ethics we are studying,” Hernandez said, “and yet there is so much respect for each of these insights and attitudes.

“In Guy’s case, he has pointed out to us that our generation is far ahead of his own generation when he was our age,” Hernandez continued, “but Guy believes as long as we, as students, get our education and maintain our focus, we have the ability to make the world a better place…and to have someone of his experience and integrity to believe that is pretty amazing.” 
 
Has Hilburn taken any lessons from the experience?  “Guy has taught me–and all of us–how truly important it is, as you get older, to continue your learning and keep up to date with what’s going on,” the professor said, adding, “As you age, you may lose sight with what’s going on with the younger generation. Since he’s been in my class, it’s made me wonder how many people are out there–like Guy– who have been successful in their careers and who have so much to share, in the way of insights and life experiences with our younger students. I’d like to encourage them to think about coming to North Harris–or any community college–and mentoring this younger generation.”

Hilburn said when her younger students–hear an opinion from Guy–it makes more of an impression than hearing it from their parents…because they’re hearing it from a peer, someone they know and trust, even though they are from a different era.

“Back when I started college at UH, there was no classroom interaction and almost no women in my classes,” Furgiuele recalled. “We all wore shirts and ties and the professor lectured…period. I can tell you, today’s classroom makes it much easier to learn and to interact.”

He’s also a proponent of older Americans returning to college campuses. “If people experienced what I’ve experienced, they should go,” he said. “I may do this every year until it’s beyond what I can carry. My mind is still sharp and the whole scenario is great. But, the biggest surprise for me has been that I’m not 80 and they’re not 20. I’m just Guy. They don’t think of me as grandpa–I’m just a classmate. I think that’s amazing…and it’s kind of fun, too!”

North Harris College is located at 2700 W.W. Thorne Drive., one-half mile south of FM 1960 East, between Aldine-Westfield and Hardy Roads. Online and telephone registration for Spring 2007 begins Nov. 14. On-site registration begins Nov. 27. For more information about the college, call 281.618.5400 or visit: www.northharriscollege.com.

North Harris Montgomery Community College District, among the five largest and fastest growing community colleges in Texas, comprises, North Harris College, Kingwood College, Tomball College, Montgomery College, Cy-Fair College, seven satellite centers, and The University Center.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 11/10/2006
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