“Students are whole people, not just bodies sitting in your classroom,” Erin Meyers, a professor in the communications, journalism and public relations (CJPR) program at Oakland University said.

Meyers said that faculty should care about students beyond the syllabus and help students work toward goals rather than expecting students to simply complete assignments.

This philosophy reflects the impact that Professor Garry Gilbert had on the Oakland University community throughout an influential teaching career.

On Friday, April 10, from 3:30 p.m to 5 p.m, the Oakland University community gathered in the Habitat to celebrate the retirement of Gilbert, a beloved OU professor and Oakland Post faculty advisor.

As the event kicked off, several speakers spoke about Gilbert, showing appreciation and sharing stories about the professor.

“Garry Gilbert is OU” illuminated the wall of the Habitat, appreciating the professor’s embodiment of the core values of Oakland University.

At the event, students, graduates and faculty alike gathered to show appreciation for Gilbert’s impactful legacy.

Senior PR major Maggie Quinn met Gilbert through the ethics in journalism course that Oakland University provides.

“His ethics in journalism class taught me so much about what I wanted to do in my own career,” Quinn said. “I’m a public relations major, and a lot of the units that he taught applied to the career field I was planning on going into.”

Meyers met Gilbert after being hired in 2011. Meyers has worked with Gilbert as colleagues and on many committees.

“He’s always so thoughtful, helpful and supportive of your ideas,” Meyers said.

Even though Quinn took Gilbert’s ethics and journalism class during the eventful 2024 election cycle, Gilbert ensured that the environment was always a safe space for everyone.

Quinn’s favorite memory with Gilbert was a conversation that occurred during this class. During Gilbert’s course, students presented on court cases involving the media.

“I was doing a presentation about a court case about a newspaper who was exposing drunk drivers and their mugshots,” Quinn said.

The presentation started a conversation with Reagan Reetz, a former employee of the Oakland Post, about Ohio requiring people convicted of drunk driving to drive with differently colored license plates.

Quinn admires Gilbert for encouraging the Oakland University community to pursue dreams. Even when students face difficulties, Gilbert maintains a positive presence on campus through constant encouragement.

“Garry helped me gain the confidence and ability to realize that I’m qualified for this, he is very encouraging,” Quinn said.

Olivia Chiappelli, former editor-in-chief for the Oakland Post, enjoyed working with Gilbert around the time of Oakland University’s March Madness run. As a major fan of the basketball teams of Oakland University, Gilbert provided the Oakland Post staff with a surplus of information and guidance.

“Garry is obviously a big OU basketball fan, and it felt like we had a great source there,” Chiappelli said.

While many reflected on Gilbert’s teaching, others pointed to the personal and lasting impact beyond the classroom. His influence extended into mentorship, career opportunities and the way students approached the field.

Summer Weathers, a May 2025 Oakland University graduate in journalism and broadcast media studies, said Gilbert played a major role in shaping a passion for journalism.

“He made journalism feel exciting for me,” Weathers said.

Weathers said that impact extended beyond coursework, influencing confidence and long-term career direction.

“I want to carry that on by telling other students how much I really love journalism because of him,” Weathers said.

For Adrian Jimenez, a graduating journalism student and editor-in-chief of the Oakland Post, who works closely with Gilbert, that influence was more personal. Jimenez described Gilbert as someone who reshaped expectations of a professor-student relationship.

“You can have a real, horizontal conversation with him,” Jimenez said.

Jimenez said Gilbert created an environment where students felt respected rather than intimidated, contributing to both academic and professional growth.

“He doesn’t look down on his students, and he doesn’t put anyone on a pedestal,” Jimenez said. “He’s very grounded.”

That approach allowed students to develop confidence while also refining skills beyond the classroom. Gilbert’s support extended into opportunities that helped shape future careers.

“My internship after graduation is thanks to Garry,” Jimenez said. “He basically helped build my career.”

Jimenez said Gilbert’s influence could also be seen in everyday classroom moments, where teaching style made a lasting impression.

“He has a really calm, well-paced way of teaching,” Jimenez said. “It made it easy to stay engaged and absorb the material.”

As Gilbert prepares to retire, Jimenez said the timing feels significant as graduation approaches.

“It feels like we’re both closing a chapter at the same time,” Jimenez said.

Looking ahead, Gilbert’s impact has influenced how future career paths are considered.

“I never thought about becoming a professor before, but now I actually could see myself doing that,” Jimenez said.

Experiences like these reflect a broader legacy built through mentorship, encouragement and accessibility. Students described an environment where growth was supported both inside and outside the classroom.

For many, that impact extends beyond the classroom and coursework into long-term professional development.

That sense of impact was echoed by alumni who credited Gilbert with shaping decisions long before graduation.

Lauren Reid, former content editor of the Oakland Post from 2021 to 2022 and now an account executive at Airfoil Group, said Gilbert played a role in the decision to attend Oakland University.

“He was the reason I chose to come here,” Reid said. “He was so friendly and warm, and I could tell that he really cared about his students.”

Reid said that first impression stayed consistent throughout the experience, reinforcing Gilbert’s reputation as a professor who prioritized people over performance.

“I think there’s nobody who cares more about their students than him,” Reid said.

Moments like those reflect a broader impact that extends far beyond a single classroom or graduating class. Gilbert’s influence reaches students whose stories may never be formally documented, but who carry the same lessons forward.

For many in attendance, the retirement marked more than the end of a career. It represents the closing of a chapter defined by mentorship, honesty and a commitment to teaching the realities of the profession. Goodbyes in spaces like this are rarely simple. They are often layered with gratitude, reflection and the recognition of what cannot be replaced.

Gilbert’s work emphasized truth, accountability, and the importance of using one’s voice, values that continue to resonate beyond the university setting.

That lasting imprint is what makes the moment feel both celebratory and difficult to let go.

As the event came to a close, attendees celebrated the long-lasting impact that Gilbert had on the community.

The Oakland University community congratulates Gilbert on a well-deserved retirement as Gilbert’s remarkable teaching career comes to a close.