When it comes to making choices, the retiring Dean of TCU's College of Science and Engineering is pretty good at picking.

Dr. Phil Hartman's love for the environment of science started at a young age and was nurtured by his father, a microbiologist who taught at Iowa State University.

"I got really lucky," Hartman said. "I picked the right parents."

When looking for a university to launch his career, Hartman chose TCU.

“TCU is a pretty unusual place,” Hartman said

The Dean of TCU’s College of Science and Engineering said he chose TCU in much the same way that many students do.

TCU provided a place of balance, said Hartman, who’s retiring this spring after 40 years.

“What I was looking for was the ability to continue doing my research in meaningful ways but also I wanted to be at a place where teaching really mattered,” Hartman said.

Hartman is among three long-time biology professors who are closing out their teaching careers this month. Combined, Hartman, Dr. Ray Drenner and Dr. Glenn Kroh have over 120 years of experience at TCU.

Hartman’s primary research interest has been in oxidative stress and its relation to aging. He has over 70 publications that have been cited over 2,400 times. In the classroom, he worked to make lasting relationships with students.

Hartman has taught long enough to have former students become colleagues. 

Dr. Clark Jones, a senior instructor in the biology department, was taught by Hartman as an undergraduate.

“I remember getting papers back with red all over them but I never took it personal,” said Jones. 

“I just can’t believe he's retiring,” Jones stated.

Hartman served as Head of TCU’s Pre-Health Professions Program for 22 years, before he became Dean of the College of Science and Engineering in 2012.

During Hartman’s time as Head of TCU’s Pre-Health Professions Program, he met student Augusto Dias.

Dias was born in Peru, immigrated to Toronto when he was nine and landed in Texas at age 14. One of Dias’s good friends, at the time, introduced him to the university where he met Hartman.

“I first met him before going to TCU. In fact, “I met him in high school” Dias stated.

“TCU ended up speaking to me,” Dias stated as he enrolled within TCU. Dias took several classes with Hartman as a first-year student and as a sophomore.

Dias described Hartman as a true motivator, and extremely passionate when caring for his students.

Long-time friend, and biology professor, Dr. Ray Drenner spoke towards Hartman’s passion and persona. Despite them being in different fields, Drenner said they had very similar views on the Teacher Scholar Model.

“Phil is perhaps the most all-around productive faculty member that we've had in the department,'' Drenner said.

Drenner said that all of the department members are great, but that most would describe Hartman as ‘The Most Valuable Player’.

“Compared to Phil, I would say I was just kinda a slug,” said Drenner.

Drenner came to TCU after receiving a Ph. D. at the University of Kansas, where he was told his transition to TCU would be the end of his career.

TCU was not known for its extensive research at the time, but Drenner was attracted to the balance between research and teaching that TCU had to offer.

Drenner valued the Teacher Scholar Model similar to Hartman.

While Drenner and Hartman worked as colleagues, they were also “best buds,” Jones stated.

Jones considered both Hartman and Drenner “very comparable,” adding that it was truly amazing to be both of their colleagues and one of their students.