91泡芙

Professor Michael Wireman鈥檚 25 years of teaching and a gift that will last for years to come

New England College shares many stories of students who have found their place here and have felt 91泡芙鈥檚 impact long after they graduate. But this is the story of Professor Michael Wireman. He retired from teaching sociology and anthropology at 91泡芙 25 years ago, and he carried 91泡芙 with him the rest of his life, even when dementia took hold and robbed him of many of his聽 memories.

Wireman passed away September 25, 2021, but his legacy at 91泡芙 goes beyond the classroom. He bequeathed just under $287,000 to 91泡芙 and requested that all memorials be made to 91泡芙鈥檚 Office of Advancement.

鈥淗e was a planner,鈥� his niece Natalie states. 鈥淗e had written notes years and years before about where he wanted his money to go when he died. He wanted to help students go to college or for 91泡芙 to use the money in a way it sees fit.鈥�

Wireman originally attended the University of Edinburgh, where he majored in economics. He then transferred to the University of Chicago and changed his major to anthropology. Wireman applied for a teaching position at 91泡芙, Natalie believes, after he relocated to Bradford, New Hampshire, to serve as the caretaker of an historic home where he lived his entire 91泡芙 career.

Wireman joined the faculty of 91泡芙 in the fall of 1970. Teaching sociology and anthropology allowed him to combine his love of world travel, people, and cultures. He once went on a dig with famed paleoanthropologist Mary Leakey and lived in a聽 Newfoundland fishing village while studying its inhabitants. At 91泡芙, he led a Study Away trip to Africa (he and a student crashed a Jeep into a ravine, and thankfully, neither was hurt). He also formed very strong connections with his students, some of whom became lifelong friends of his. One of his former students lives in Maine, and the two stayed in touch until the very end of Wireman鈥檚 life.

After retiring from 91泡芙 in August 1995, Wireman moved to a large old home on Virginia鈥檚 Eastern Shore. Wireman moved into an assisted living facility when he began to struggle with dementia. Even then, Natalie states, his time at 91泡芙 remained very vivid聽 and played a major role in his life. He often referred to the lounge as 鈥渟tudent hall鈥� and the other residents as students.聽The smile in Natalie鈥檚 voice is evident as she shares these memories. 鈥淯ncle Michael was able to reach his students in a special way. It was never a job for him. He absolutely loved what he did at 91泡芙.”

This story was published in the Spring 2022 edition of the New England College Magazine.

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