Here's a link to Carl's Blog
You may well remember me from your high school days as the guy perhaps best known for "his ever ready camera," and many of my candid photos of our high school activities became part of our yearbook, the "Caduceus." Immediately following graduation from C.H.S. in January 1954, I worked for a construction company building new homes, and as a professional photographer, before entering Brown University that same fall. I majored in biology, and graduated in 1958 with an A.B. degree.
My first post-graduation research position was on the Brown campus in the Botany Department, studying the effects of ultrasound on living plant cells and their structure. This project was carried out in conjunction with colleagues in the Physics Department. During this time, I met my future wife, Marjorie, who was then a departmental secretary in the Physics Department, and secretary to the Dean of the Graduate School. We were married in December of 1960. In 1958, I also enlisted in the Rhode Island Air National Guard, and completed basic training at Lackland A.F.B. in San Antonio TX.
Upon returning to RI from TX, I briefly returned to the Botany Department at Brown, before moving on to the Worcester Foundation for Experimental Biology in Shrewsbury MA. While there for about a year, I was part of a basic research group studying histamine metabolism, its possible role as a neurotransmitter in the cental nervous system, and related areas using radioactive tracer techniques. After actively working in research for almost two years after college, I decided that I wanted to continue my education in order to be able to chart my own course, and follow my own research interests in the future.
Just prior to our marriage in 1960, I entered graduate school at the University of Vermont, and earned a Ph.D. degree in Pharmacology at the College of Medicine. We greatly enjoyed our years in VT, and I transferred to the Vermont Air National Guard, since commuting frequently and regularly back and forth from VT to RI was not a viable option. While serving with the VT.A.N.G. in its enlisted ranks, I was offered, and accepted, a direct commission. Consequently, I completed my military service obligation as the supply officer for the squadron's medical unit.
Our eldest daughter, Linda, was born in 1964, and she takes great pride in being a "native" of VT. She is a graduate of Millersville University in Pennsylvania, married, has a son (Christopher), a daughter (Alaina), and is a special education teacher at Hershey High School in Hershey PA. Her specialty is working with students who have social and emotional problems that interfere significantly with their ability to learn.
In 1965, my long association with the University of Pennsylvania began, when we left the rolling green mountains of Vermont for the big city of Philadelphia. We settled in suburban Springfield (Delaware County) PA, and I began my post-doctoral studies in the Department of Pharmacology at the School of Medicine. Subsequently, I became a member of the faculty, teaching medical students, and conducting basic research in the field of biochemical pharmacology.
Our second daughter, Kristen, was born in 1967. She is a very gifted jewelry designer/artisan, artist, and photographer, who markets her custom one-of-a-kind line of jewelry in several boutiques and shops in PA and MD, and at craft shows in our tri-state area. She is married, has two daughters (Danielle and Morgan), and lives not far from us in Drexel Hill PA. After 6 years at the School of Medicine, I accepted a tenured faculty position at the School of Veterinary Medicine, where I served in several capacities, which included being Head of the Laboratories of Pharmacology and Toxicology for over 15 years, and Acting Associate Dean of Student Affairs for one year.
In 1982, I was selected by the student body to receive the "Norden Award for distinguished teaching in the field of veterinary medicine." Accepting this award was certainly one of the high points of my academic career. Other high points included serving as national President of the "American Academy of Veterinary Pharmacology and Therapeutics," receiving their "Distinguished Service," and "Lloyd E. Davis awards, and being the chief editor of several editions of "Veterinary Pharmaceuticals and Biologicals," the veterinary equivalent of the "Physician's Desk Reference."
In 1996, after a "good run" at the University of Pennsylvania, I retired from the faculty to emeritus status, having completed a total of 31 years of service. I was, however, not yet ready for "daytime TV," so, in the fall of 1996, I accepted a part-time position in the Department of Chemistry at nearby Haverford College, on Philadelphia's "main line." While no longer actively teaching and conducting basic research, I am now the person responsible for the set-up, care, and maintenance of all the Chemistry Department's complex analytical instrument systems, and the computers that control them.
At Haverford, I continue to enjoy daily interaction with excellent students, and being on campus helps keep me young in spirit, as I advance in chronological years. This second career, part-time position is a perfect match for me, since, over the years, I've always enjoyed "tinkering" with instruments and equipment in my own laboratory, and designing and building things in my home workshop. Yes, I've continued to maintain my interest in photography too, but now I have a digital camera in my collection. Believe it or not. I still have, but now no longer use, the same big "Speed Graphic" 4 x 5 press camera that I used while in high school and college.
Marjorie retired from her position as Administrative Assistant to the Director of Special Education at the Springfield School district in 2003, after 25 years of service. We now divide our time, year round, between Springfield PA and our second home in Rock Hall MD. It is located on the scenic, unspoiled eastern shore of beautiful Chesapeake Bay. Rock Hall is a lovely small town of about 1700 permanent residents, and it is steeped deeply in colonial history and that of Chesapeake Bay and its watermen. We spend most of the summer there, and enjoy sailing, kayaking, canoeing, entertaining guests, etc. A road-side sign marking the entrance to town states, "Nice people live here," and we have many wonderful friends there. For a peek at our slice of "paradise," visit "www.rockhallmd.com" on the Internet. Friends and family are frequent visitors to our home, which is appropriately named "Sailor's Rest," and they are always welcome. We really do enjoy having company, especially our grandchildren. So, if you happen to be traveling in our direction, "Y'all stop by and visit a spell!"
- Carl E. Aronson, Ph.D., September 2004