Engineering professor Sigl to retire after four decades
Sigl, who started teaching at State in 1968, has seen many changes over the years.
Katrina Sargent
Issue date: 4/29/09 Section: News
After close to half a century, an engineering professor at SDSU is retiring.
Arden Sigl began teaching at SDSU in 1968 and now, 41 years later, is coming to the end of his final semester as a full time professor. Sigl will return in the fall to teach one graduate level course.
"Not many [professors] would pre-date 1968," said Sigl.
During his time here, he has seen a lot of change.
Hilton Briggs was the president when Sigl began his career here. Experiencing the administrations of six different university presidents were only some of the changes Sigl saw during his career at SDSU.
One of the biggest changes during his time was the computer.
"When I started out, a memo came out … and carbon copies were used, so that's a tremendous change," said Sigl.
"Work on [computers] is both a benefit and a curse," Sigl said.
Sigl was a part of the university committee commissioned by the president.
The commission was made up of 10 people and released a report in 1985, said Sigl.
"The president commissioned a committee on how to bring computers to where they are today for faculty," said Sigl.
Sigl said when he started in engineering, he used a slide rule.
"Now, most people don't know what it is," he said.
"I like analysis," said Sigl. "Now, [because of computers], we can analyze things way beyond what we can understand."
"I try to instill in students a healthy dose of skepticism," Sigl said. He tells his students that just because data comes out of a computer does not mean it is correct.
Other changes Sigl has experienced are growth and added buildings on campus, as well as the transition to D-I sports.
"I like SDSU sports. My wife and I have had season tickets for a long time for basketball and football," said Sigl.
Sigl's favorite part of working at SDSU is the interaction he has had with students.
"I've been at this a long time," Sigl said. "That's what I'm going to miss. Associating with younger people keeps you young."
Arden Sigl began teaching at SDSU in 1968 and now, 41 years later, is coming to the end of his final semester as a full time professor. Sigl will return in the fall to teach one graduate level course.
"Not many [professors] would pre-date 1968," said Sigl.
During his time here, he has seen a lot of change.
Hilton Briggs was the president when Sigl began his career here. Experiencing the administrations of six different university presidents were only some of the changes Sigl saw during his career at SDSU.
One of the biggest changes during his time was the computer.
"When I started out, a memo came out … and carbon copies were used, so that's a tremendous change," said Sigl.
"Work on [computers] is both a benefit and a curse," Sigl said.
Sigl was a part of the university committee commissioned by the president.
The commission was made up of 10 people and released a report in 1985, said Sigl.
"The president commissioned a committee on how to bring computers to where they are today for faculty," said Sigl.
Sigl said when he started in engineering, he used a slide rule.
"Now, most people don't know what it is," he said.
"I like analysis," said Sigl. "Now, [because of computers], we can analyze things way beyond what we can understand."
"I try to instill in students a healthy dose of skepticism," Sigl said. He tells his students that just because data comes out of a computer does not mean it is correct.
Other changes Sigl has experienced are growth and added buildings on campus, as well as the transition to D-I sports.
"I like SDSU sports. My wife and I have had season tickets for a long time for basketball and football," said Sigl.
Sigl's favorite part of working at SDSU is the interaction he has had with students.
"I've been at this a long time," Sigl said. "That's what I'm going to miss. Associating with younger people keeps you young."
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