Retiring lecturer hands over role to former student
A LONG-SERVING lecturer at UHI Inverness has retired safe in the knowledge that he has left his role in good hands – because he taught his successor.
Architectural Technology lecturer Terry Curtis bowed out last week after 20 years, but not before he gave a warm welcome back to his replacement, his former student Stefan Mason.
Terry said: “I have thoroughly enjoyed my time, both at the Longman Campus and at the Inverness Campus. I have worked with a great group of staff, both old and new, and I am delighted now to be in the position of watching our past students progressing in their chosen professions within the construction industry. It is very, very rewarding.”
Terry, from Inverness, attended a computer-aided design (CAD) class at the Longman building in 2001 to pass the time after his retirement from his professional life with ATKINS, a world-leading design company. His skills and attitude in helping other students led to him being asked to be a supply teacher and a year later he started lecturing full time.
Programme Leader for Architectural Technology, Ross Cairns, said that Terry was a big influence in the creation of the Highlands’ first construction degree programme, the BSc (Hons) Architectural Technology course, in 2009. Within a few years more than 100 students were studying the course.
Ross said: “Everyone that comes across Terry will say the same thing – instantly likable with a quiet, friendly connection with everyone he meets. Both staff and students have benefited from his presence. Simply put, Terry’s influence in the sector will have touched nearly every area of architectural practice in the North.
“It has been a highlight of my own career to call Terry a friend and the best work colleague I could have wished for in my 14-plus years at UHI Inverness and 25-plus in my professional life. It was a pleasure to have shared with Terry the experience of our growth, always with a bit of fun and laughter along the way. He passes on the baton in true Terry style to a former student of his.”
Stefan studied the Architectural Technology degree from 2012/13. He has gone on to work for BakerHicks, Collective Architecture, Cooper Cromar, G1 Architects and Persimmon Homes.
Ross said: “Stefan quickly became like Terry; a whiz at CAD and secured employment immediately upon graduation and worked for many top architectural practices. Taught by Terry and sharing his love of football and Celtic, he also shares all the qualities Terry has and will take up the reins from him as our lead on our CAD tuition.”
Terry played for many Highland League teams and Stefan has played for Celtic youths. Fittingly, Terry’s farewell was marked with a staff outing to the Ross County v Celtic match at Dingwall.