Dr. William Welch Retires at 92 Years of Age and Thirty Years at Bowie State

Beloved Trailblazer Highlights Annual HRD Symposium and Expo

 

MEDIA CONTACT: David Thompson, dlthompson@bowiestate.edu, 301-860-4311

(BOWIE, Md.) – The Human Resource Development (HRD) program will holds its annual symposium and expo on Saturday, May 7, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. in the Student Center, Wiseman Ballroom to discuss networking opportunities, career readiness, and diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) in the workplace, topics to guide professional development for graduate students.

“Honoring Legacy, Talent Development, and Strategic Partnership”, this year’s theme, has increased significance as HRD also honors retired professor Dr. William Welch after 30 years of service to Bowie State University.

At 92 years of age, Dr. Welch was the oldest full-time faculty member until he retired last December, and is credited with playing a major role in the development of BSU’s HRD program. He arrived at Bowie State while he was a doctoral candidate in human resource development at George Washington University (GW) and decided he wanted to replicate aspects of GW’s program, specifically in the areas of consulting, training, and adult learning at BSU.

“I was with the Prince George’s County Human Relations Commission and initially started working with BSU as an adjunct professor because I didn’t want to leave the county,” said Dr. Welch. “We started the HRD program at Bowie State concentrating on those three topics critical to GW’s program and later included experiential learning as a major component of BSU’s offering.”

Dr. Welch has received over 200 awards during his long career including the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission’s 2004 Civil Rights Award; National Association of Counties Conflict Resolution Award; an Outstanding Leadership Award presented by the Prince George’s County Human Relations Commission; and recognition from other local, state, and national organizations. Although the accolades for his service distinguish him from many others in HRD field, his primary focus was on advancing HRD and providing guidance to his students and faculty members.

“He was a major proponent of developing a strong HRD pipeline that will supply businesses, non-profits, and government agencies with professionals prepared to help organizations develop and manage their talent pool,” said Dr. Joi Brown, a former student of Dr. Welch and an HRD adjunct professor. “Dr. Welch and Bowie State’s HRD program prepared me for everything I do today and gave me the skill sets, confidence, and expertise that all practitioners need in today’s changing work environment.”

Although he will no longer be in a classroom, Dr. Welch will continue to provide his expertise to organizations and individuals through his consulting practice. He says his focus going forward will be on training and executive coaching.

“I’ve always deemed it imperative that I help people realize their potential,” said Dr. Welch.  “Over the years I have observed people who needed help in recognizing their talent and identifying their purpose.  Since I’ve left Bowie State my focus is on executive coaching and showing individuals the changes they need to make in their lives to not only succeed, but soar in their professional endeavors,” he said.

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