Harv Dahl Has Retired
The university in-plant community was abuzz this morning when long-time in-plant manager Harv Dahl announced he had retired from Arizona State University, effective today, after more than 50 years in the printing industry. In his characteristic lighthearted style, he made the following announcement on a popular listserv for university in-plant managers:
"I used to think only the federal government could get their numbers to go up to a billion or higher. I was wrong. On Friday, March 4, 2011, my number will be 1,624,752,000 seconds, give or take a few. That’s high enough. I’m retiring after a mere 51 years, 5 months and 25 days since I started in the printing game. That’s 18,806 days for you purists."
A fixture at Association of College and University Printers (ACUP) conferences for decades, the affable, waggish Dahl has made friends with countless in-plant managers over the years. His technical advice has helped many a manager through difficult situations (though his bartending and bus-driving skills will likely be most remembered).
Dahl has overseen several in-plants since he started at the University of Wisconsin in 1970, after serving in Vietnam. Since then his career has been a series of moves into progressively hotter climates, starting with a relocation to Kansas State University.
"It was warmer in Kansas than it was in Wisconsin," he quipped, in explaining his move there. "The snowbanks weren't as deep."
After nine years at KSU, he moved on to Auburn University, in Alabama, and then the University of Houston before ending up at Arizona State University, where he has worked for the past seven years.
"I’ve met hundreds of college and university printing managers and staff whose skill, energy and dedication keeps their school’s print programs running efficiently and cost-effectively," wrote Dahl in his announcement. "To all of you who have helped me with your counsel, support and friendship, thank you. It made all the difference in the world."
His long-time friend and fellow ACUP aficionado Joe Goss, of Indiana University, acknowledged that Dahl has seen enormous changes in printing technology in his 51 years. Still, Goss laughed, "I'm not sure I've learned a great deal about printing from him, but I have learned a great deal about playing cards...and 'hospitality.'"