Herman Gelbwasser
Finding the Right Chemistry
Melanie Patterson
42 years ago, young chemical engineering graduate, Herman Gelbwasser, drove his rusty 1957 Dodge Coronet with large tail fins, east from New York looking for a job. As his rusting out car ran through puddles and splashed water up inside, he thought, “I need to go as far as this car will take me.” In that moment he never realized that 42 years later he would still be at the car’s final stop, Mount Wachusett Community College.
When Professor Gelbwasser began his four plus decade career as the only chemistry teacher in MWCC’s history, he worked in the former campus on Elm Street. “There was no formal chemistry lab, just a room across from the café shared with the Biology Department,” Gelbwasser reminisces. Now he has a full lab, although he feels that chemistry has not changed much over the years: “Basic principles don’t change, but chemistry has become more web-based. Students can use computer programs to do lab work,” but Gelbwasser still believes in a hands-on approach in his lab. “It still is the best way to learn chemistry.”
He has seen shifts in the student population over the years as well. When he began in the mid ‘60’s most of the students were fresh out of high school. Then in the final days of the Vietnam War of the early ‘70’s as more people were being drafted, the age of students jumped into their 30’s. Since then it has shifted back to a younger population, however, Gelbwasser has taught a lot of single parents and adult learners over the years.
Professor Gelbwasser found his love for teaching at an early age from his own experiences of being a student. He grew up on the Lower East Side of New York and attended public schools right through high school. He then went to the former New York University College of Engineering in the Bronx finishing his undergraduate work and completed his studies at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, NY where he earned his masters degree in chemical engineering. His first love was for mathematics, of which he now teaches a few sections. However, while in college, Sputnik was on everyone’s mind and he was mentored to study chemical engineering. “That is where the future is,” he was encouraged. He loved being a student and formed a study group. “To this day I believe in the value of study groups and encourage my students to participate. It really helps you learn.” In his own study groups peers would often charge him to lead the group and go to him for homework help and support. This was when he discovered his passion and natural ability for teaching. He liked helping others and they liked learning from him.
Professor Gelbwasser has been sought after over the years for higher paying professional positions in chemical engineering, but said his first passion is to teach. “All the money in the world wouldn’t have made me feel any different.” He loves academics and the academic environment. Former student, Missi Sargent: “[Professor Gelbwasser] is a dedicated instructor who really cares for his students.”
He discusses the challenges and rewards of his expansive career: “The students—it is very difficult to have to fail a student,” but he describes the great feelings when a student succeeds, “knowing I had a small part in that, provides the greatest reward in teaching.”
He has lived in Rutland since 1968 with his wife, Bonnie, has three grown kids, two daughters and a son, and two “recently added grandkids.” He also enjoys time off at his second home in Mashpee on the Cape and plans to retire there. At 66, he is still full of energy and does not feel he is ready to retire. “This is not about finances. It is because my first passion is teaching. I don’t see myself leaving to do something else.” He has an equally avid passion as a Red Sox fan and remembers a highlight in his MWCC employment experience of the entire math department being given free tickets prior to their World Series win from the Houghton-Mifflin book publisher. The math department had been given VIP seating and enjoyed the very best that Fenway had to offer!
Gelbwasser was recently honored at an MWCC employee recognition ceremony for 40 years of service. “I feel very fortunate for having had this experience and life.” Currently he teaches General Chemistry I & II and Math 120 & 128 over the span of an academic year. He is also an active member of the Academic Affairs Committee. His expansive career heralds that teaching for this long-term professor was definitely the right chemistry!