Some members of the Baylor faculty will be retiring this spring or summer after long service to the University. In this series of blog posts, we asked each new retiree a few questions about their time at Baylor and what they intend to do once they step down from full-time teaching.

Karl Umlauf, professor of art and Artist-in-Residence, joined the Baylor faculty in 1989. After growing up in Austin, Umlauf earned BFA degrees in drawing and painting from the University of Texas at Austin in 1960 and an MFA in painting from Cornell University in 1963.

Waco Today magazine did a profile of Umlauf as well as a preview of his latest exhibition at Baylor in its February 2015 issue.

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1. What brought you to Baylor?

I was invited to be Artist-in-Residence, a position that would allow my creative interest to expand.

2. What courses, or types of courses, have you concentrated on teaching at Baylor?

Beginning and advanced painting and advanced figure drawing.

3. Can you characterize the students you’ve taught while at Baylor? Are there things about your students that especially stand out to you after all these years?

My students in painting and life drawing have always met their creative challenge and have created outstanding artwork.

4. Have you enjoyed teaching at Baylor?

The support and collegiality to improve departmental goals and instructional challenges has made it a pleasure to teach here.

5. Are there examples of research you’ve taken part in while at Baylor that you have had especially significant satisfaction with?

Areas of research that became important to my creative focus may be viewed at my studio on Schroeder Drive in Waco as well as at the BRIC, north of Baylor’s main campus (by appointment).

6. Are there any of your Baylor colleagues you have had an especially productive relationship with?

All of my colleagues in the Department of Art have been very supportive of my creative research and faculty across the campus has always acknowledged their appreciation for my work shown in various locations at Baylor.

7. When you look back on your time at Baylor, what about it will you remember most fondly?

I am thankful for the overall support I received from my colleagues and the administration of Baylor University.

8. What are your plans for retirement?

I look forward to my continued research into new surfaces and materials for my creative work, and above all I’ll be able to spend more time with my wife Shirley and my family.

9. Is there anything else about your time at Baylor or your career that you’d like to add?

I will strongly miss the day-to-day collegiality I have shared with the wonderful faculty and administration.