Professor Hinks to retire after 33 years at ARC

On Thursday, April 29, American River College honored its faculty and staff that declared their retirement since April 2009. These retirees have served ARC for a long period of time, and you've probably seen at least a few of them every day. Among them is sign language Professor Lyle Hinks, who has served ARC for whopping 33 years.

Professor Hinks was born and raised in Sheboygan, Wisconsin. He was born with hearing loss, and both of his parents were deaf, so he learned sign language growing up.

"Really, it was just like when you learned how to speak with your parents," signed Hinks. "My parents are deaf and they signed, so it was just a natural thing for me."

Hinks started his career teaching sign language at middle- and high schools, but over time he had become a bit disenchanted with all the paper work. He then moved up here to teach at ARC, expecting less paper work and more focus on what he could do in the classroom.

Professor Hinks started at ARC teaching half time and working half time in Disabled Students Programs and Services (DSPS) until there was reorganization in 1992. He then was moved over to the humanities department, became a full-time professor, and no longer worked at DSPS.

"I have to say working with DSPS was a little wild," signed Hinks  "Coming here (humanities department), my focus is solely on the classroom and on program development."

The passion for teaching wasn't something that came first for Hinks; it was something that came gradually as he continued to teach. He was more interested in how the information was packaged and delivered.

After working here for over three decades, Hinks' favorite memory of ARC had nothing to do with any moments with students or other faculty. Instead it was about the expansion of the Sign Language Studies program.

"If you look at the theory of manifest destiny, and the growth of America, our program has grown the same way. We've built an empire. When I started here, we probably had five classes and that was it, and now we have over 30", signed Hinks.

Since Hinks started serving ARC, he's witnessed the campus grow into a sophisticated and service-centered campus. According to Hinks, the advancement of technology has played a major role in the growth of not only the Sign Language Studies program, but also of ARC as a whole.

Now, after 33 years, Hinks' bones have told him that it's time to retire.

"I have been here for way too long", signed Hinks. "It's time for an infusion of new ideas in the program."

Other than catching up on reading, working on photography projects, and definitely spending more time golfing, Hinks had no particular plans for retirement, but he did have a farewell wish for ARC.

"For the students, be persistent. For the faculty, keep on truckin'."