By Degrees - Zane State College

in memoriamDr. Stephen Rostek, 1947 - 2011During the College’s 40th anniversary in 2009, Dr. StephenRostek was celebrated as one of just three originalemployees who were still serving the College. Sadly, just twoyears later, Zane State College employees and retirees arecelebrating Dr. Rostek’s life after he passed away suddenlyon March 22, 2011.Upon his retirement, Dr. Rostek continued to serve theCollege by working on special assignments. His last projectwas to work on the Ohio Board of Regents’ Transfer andArticulation Policy, which smoothed the transition for ZaneState College students transferring college credits to andfrom other Ohio public colleges and universities.Hired just months before the College’s doors opened in1969, Dr. Rostek’s role was to teach mathematics and physicsat what was then the Muskingum Area Technical Institute.When he retired in 2004, Dr. Rostek was serving the Collegeas Dean of Engineering & Science; however, his fondestmemories were of times spent in the classroom.“I definitely enjoyed being aninstructor the most,” Dr. Rostek saidin 2008 when remembering his earlydays at the College. “It’s rewarding tosee students succeed and have themcome back and tell you how happythey are.”“”I definitely enjoyed being aninstructor the most.”“Dr. Rostek spent his entire career at Zane State College,and we are profoundly grateful for the work he did to makeour College what it is today,” said President Brown. “Asprofessor, as dean, and as a decades-long supporter of theCollege, his influence will be felt throughout the College formany, many years to come.”During his tenure at Zane StateCollege, Dr. Rostek was awarded theOutstanding Administrator of the YearAward in 1989 and in 2003. He alsoreceived an Honorary Associate ofPublic Service degree from Zane State College in 2005.Dr. Rostek’s enthusiasm for his work was apparent. Hiscolleagues remember him best as a caring man who madesignificant contributions to the College and to his students’development.“Steve was my office partner when I came to the Collegein 1977. He was my mentor, my dean, and most of all hewas my friend,” said Daniel Durfee, engineering and energyscience professor. “Steve was a great listener and weighedevery decision carefully. He always kept the best interests ofthe students first.”Dr. Rostek made a bequest to Zane State College in his will,ensuring his continued support even after his death.zanestate.edu 9