Robert Chelle ’68
What have you been up to since graduation?
Following MCC graduation in 1968, I graduated from Bethany College with a degree in Economics, then directly to the University of Dayton where a received a MBA degree. I was the CEO/owner of High Voltage Maintenance Corp. for twenty-five years, selling it to Emerson Electric, a global manufacturing company. After a brief retirement, my second career returned me to the University of Dayton as an entrepreneurship professor for sixteen years. I retired from teaching in May of 2015. I continue serve on several board of directors at for-profit companies.
What is one of your greatest achievements since graduating from MCC?
Family wise, my wife and I have had a terrific marriage for 46 years. Our son Rob is an attorney and daughter Pamela owns a high- end interior design firm. Professionally, I have been fortunate to have an opportunity to successfully grown a company while giving back substantial time to the community and non-profit organizations.
What is your fondest memory of MCC?
Simply the ‘start’. Most of us students just graduated from high school. Many of the professors were teaching for the first time. And of course, MCC was in its first official year of classes. All this was very exciting.
What was your favorite place on campus, why?
Honestly, I don’t recall a favorite place. There were not many ‘places’. I remember going to class, leaving campus, studying at home and having a part time job. A few of us guys would go to the gym to pump iron on a regular basis.
Who was your favorite professor and why?
Without exception, it was remarkable that every professor was highly approachable, positive and wanted each and every student to excel in class. Fifty years is too long to remember names, but I will never forget the caring atmosphere.
If you could offer a current MCC student advice, what would it be?
Find a mentor. Set short and long-term goals for yourself. Particularly as a young adult, be daring in your career and prepare yourself to be a strong contributor, needed by others. Even blue collar workers are learning coding, so get ready to be challenged by our increasingly tech savvy environment.
Final thought…
Junior colleges, partnering with industry, are offering highly desirable courses of study. Together with your advisors, find something that truly interests you. Good study habits like good work habits mean a lot. I am certain MCC will help you grow…and recognize learning does not stop at receiving your well earned diploma.