Along with Alverna Champion and Ernie Palmer, Phil Pratt elected to retire this year. Phil had completed over 32 years of service to Grand Valley, including 8 years as chair of the Department of Mathematics and Statistics.

Phil attended Michigan State University for both his undergraduate and graduate degrees. In the fall of 1970, while still working on his dissertation, he began teaching at GVSU; he completed his Ph.D. in the spring of 1971. While Phil’s graduate training was in complex analysis, he later gained expertise in newly emerging computer technology. In addition to being a leader in the development of new courses in computer science at Grand Valley, he began writing texts for a wide range of classes in this discipline: to date Phil has published approximately 50 books!

Phil says that he always enjoyed teaching a wide range of courses, but Math 325 (Discrete Mathematics for Computer Science) was probably his favorite. When asked about the best part of his Grand Valley career, Phil cites the many students he enjoyed working with, but particularly emphasizes “the wonderful faculty and staff that I had the chance to work with throughout my 30+ years.”

In retirement he will continue working on a variety of book projects, as well as devote more time to his endeavors as a concert organist. Now residing in Florida, he and his wife Judy enjoy living in close proximity to their daughter, son-in-law, and grandchildren.