John Chemnitz says goodbye after 50 years at SDU
After more than 50 years of dedicated service at Odense University and later the University of Southern Denmark, and having made a major contribution to the degree programmes in medicine and clinical biomechanics at SDU, the time has come to say goodbye to Associate Professor and medical doctor John Chemnitz.
On 27 August, he was celebrated at a farewell reception before now beginning his well-earned retirement.
John Chemnitz’s history at SDU goes all the way back to his own student days. As a medical student, he had a student job dissecting some of the anatomical specimens – work that is still carried out by medical students today. In an interview a couple of years ago, he described just how much patience the work requires:
– It takes 25–30 hours to dissect a foot properly. It requires patience and is not a job for everyone.
Since then, generations of chiropractic, sports science and medical students at SDU have benefited from John Chemnitz’s extensive knowledge of anatomy and his commitment to teaching. Over the years, he has been named best lecturer four times and has been a regular feature in student revues. This says something about the position he has earned among the students – and about a lecturer who has left a clear mark on the faculty over five decades.
Over the years, John Chemnitz has also been involved in planning the construction of new facilities and the relocation of what is now known as the Winsløw Unit for Anatomy, Histology and Plastination.
At the farewell reception on 27 August, John Chemnitz was honoured with speeches and fond memories from a long working life at SDU. The reception was a warm tribute to a long-standing, well-liked and respected colleague and lecturer who has made a significant difference to students, colleagues and degree programmes across the University.