Farewell to Beulig: Longtime natural science professor retires
Professor Alfred Beulig with students in 1979. Photo courtesy of New College Digital Collections

Farewell to Beulig: Longtime natural science professor retires

Professor Alfred Beulig with students in 1979. Photo courtesy of New College Digital Collections
Professor Alfred Beulig with students in 1979. Photo courtesy of New College Digital Collections

 

Beulig has served in the Division of Natural Sciences at New College since 1976. He will be remembered by Novo Collegians and staff for his immense knowledge and antics.

Stories about Beulig excitedly writing on his chalkboard, yelling at his computer and being generally eccentric were plentiful.

“He was very dedicated to his work,” thesis student Nic Webley said.

“He once described the whole theory of evolution in 15 minutes,” second-year, and Beulig’s Teaching Assistant, Kelly South said.

During his time at New College, Beulig has shared his passions through teaching classes such as Organismic Biology Lecture, Organismic Biology Laboratory, Coral Reef Ecology Mod , Neurobiology Lecture and Laboratory, Animal Behavior Lecture and Laboratory, and History, Development and Practice of Maritime Technology.

Al Beulig is a wicked sharp thinker, field biologist and an excellent sailor–a real model of a scholar and a Floridian gentleman,” alum ’00 Eben Kirksey said.

Beulig inspired multiple students over the course of his professorship.

“Dr. Beulig always provided endless support to his students, constantly keeping our spirits up and our motivation to succeed strong,” thesis student Gabriel Joachim said. “I owe so much of my career here at NCF to Dr. Beulig and can’t wait to hear more fantastic stories from his new office in the “emeritus tower.”

Beulig completed his dissertation at Mote Marine where he studied sharks. New College has been a perfect place for Beulig to study, teach and sail. He has also been on multiple scientific excursions to places such as Honduras, sometimes hosting students as well. He also hiked Volcan Bura in Panama, a rare feat.

At his retirement party, many of his friends and colleagues took turns sharing their memories of Beulig. That included New College chemistry professor Paul Scudder and New College physics professor George Ruppeiner who shared stories about their experiences sailing with Beulig.

Due to his love of music, South played Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata.

Dr. Beulig has been one of the most helpful professors I have had and he has been tremendously influential not only to me but to many of his students,” second-year Kelly South said. South worked as a teaching assistant for professor Beulig. “He has drive and passion for every single subject he teaches.” “I will miss him but I am so excited that he is now professor emeritus and will still be around for his students.”

Beulig has seen New College through many changes. He was the only remaining professor that experienced the merger of NCF and the University of South Florida.

“New College has been through a lot and we are still standing,” Beulig said.

 

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