"I have loved the piano from the very beginning," says University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point Associate Professor Charles Goan. "From a young age, I knew I wanted to pursue music as a career. It�s just something that is part of me."

Although music will continue to be a part of his life, Goan will retire next month after 34 years of teaching piano at UWSP.

Over the years, Goan has seen tremendous growth in his department. In addition to piano instruction, he�s taught more than 3,000 students in music appreciation and also taught piano literature and music history.

"I have taught many piano students from beginning to advanced levels," he said. "Watching their growth and seeing them earn advanced degrees and become teachers has been most rewarding for me."

Before coming to UWSP, Goan taught at Concordia College in River Forest, Ill. In 1967, his former Indiana University classmate Jack Cohan, who taught at UWSP, invited Goan to come up for a recital at the university that would stand as his interview for a teaching position. Goan took the job at UWSP the night of that recital.

While at UWSP, Goan was a member of the Bukolt Trio, toured internationally with the UWSP University Choir and Montana Chorale and was a frequent performer on Wisconsin Public Radio. He also advised the Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia music fraternity.

One of the biggest events of his career was moving from Old Main into the new Fine Arts Center in 1971. He was the first to occupy his office and spent 30 years there. He said it�s gratifying to now see that the Fine Arts Center will be growing with an addition coming in 2003.

But Old Main will always hold interesting memories for him as well.

"I will always recall the time I had to dodge a bat while playing a solo recital in the Old Main auditorium years ago," he said.

Goan brought another occupant from Old Main into his Fine Arts Center office � Moses. A statue of the biblical prophet became his when colleague Professor Donald Rupert left UWSP. Rupert had rescued it from destruction when several old statues were discarded.

Goan returned Moses to the university when the late John Anderson of News Services wrote a piece on some of UWSP�s antiques. It remained in a vault until recently, when UWSP�s Historical Preservation Committee had it repaired and placed it in Old Main�s newly restored Founders Room.

"I was happy to find a permanent place for Moses back in his original home," Goan said.

After his retirement, Goan will return to his hometown of Knoxville, Tenn., to be closer to his parents. He�s already purchased a home there where the dog next door is aptly named Beethoven. Goan hopes to get involved in accompanying local choral groups as well as adjunct teaching at the local colleges and universities.

An avid traveler, Goan would like to travel to South America and Asia having already visited most European countries and the former Soviet Union and Turkey. He hopes to return to Stevens Point for the ribbon cutting of the new Fine Arts Center addition as well as visit during the winter months to enjoy snowshoeing and skiing.

Goan has degrees from the University of Tennessee-Knoxville and Indiana University and he�s done doctoral work at UW-Madison. He�s performed as a soloist with the Knoxville, Indiana University and Central Wisconsin Symphony orchestras.

-30-

ch/vc/Goan-retire