Department Bids Farewell to Two Long-term Contributors
Two long-term members of the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering – associate professor Harold “Skip” Parks and administrative secretary Caroll Mainvielle – are retiring after more than two decades of service at the University.
“We are sad to lose two outstanding members of the department, but we share in their joy during this exciting time for them,” said Tamal Bose, department head.
Parks began teaching at the UA in 1990 and has focused on semiconductor devices and solid state physics, among other research interests. Some of his proudest career moments include serving as director for the University of Arizona SEMATECH Center of Excellence for Contamination/Defect Assessment and Control from 1990 to 1995 and as an editorial board member for the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Circuits and Devices Magazine from 1999 to 2006.
Perhaps his proudest accomplishment, Parks said, has been sharing his love for teaching with his students.
“When I was younger, I pushed myself to earn a PhD because I had a desire to teach,” Parks said. “It’s been a great ride, and I will miss teaching along with everyone in this department.”
Parks, who graduated with a PhD in electrical engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in 1980, is a contributing author of the book “Advanced CMOS Process Technology.”
Prior to his retirement at the conclusion of the Spring 2014 semester, professor Kathleen Melde said she had always admired Parks’ ability to get students to think about concepts in new ways, and professor Ahmed Louri said Parks would have a long-lasting impact on the history of the department.
Mainvielle worked in ECE for 29 years providing day-to-day administrative support and early on in her career directly supported faculty.
Professor Mark Neifeld, who joined the UA’s ECE in 1991, recalled his first few months at the University, saying, “I wouldn’t have accomplished nearly as much as I did without her help. Her impact will not be easily forgotten.”