Get to Know HFC: Gregory Ward is constantly refining his teaching skills
Long-time HFC donor and former Director of Development Joseph H. Hallissey, Jr. was an inspiration to many, including Gregory Ward. In fact, Ward, HFC building sciences and HVAC lead instructor, chose to go into teaching due to the influence of Hallissey.
“I remember returning to school and applying for a scholarship. I had just missed the deadline, so I called Mr. Hallissey on a Sunday to leave a voicemail, and he actually picked up! We talked and he invited me in the next morning to meet with him. He told me, ‘You should be a teacher. You have all the skills it takes.’ That really stuck with me,” recalled Ward.
Energized by students' learning
The eldest of two sons, Ward was born in Detroit. He has been married to Wanda, also an HFC graduate, for 38 years. The couple has two children who graduated from HFC as well.
Ward is an alumnus of Lutheran West High School in Detroit. He earned both his associate degree in general business and a certificate in multi-skilled maintenance technology at HFC (then Henry Ford Community College). He later earned his bachelor’s degree in HVAC engineering and energy fundamentals from Ferris State University. Ward plans to begin his master’s degree in educational technology within a year.
“I enrolled at HFC right out of high school, but I didn’t finish,” said Ward. “After I got married, I wanted to return to finish my associate degree because I wanted to move up at International Hardcoat, Inc., where I worked at the time.”
Ward has worked in trades for more than 30 years. He’s also worked in the fitness industry and in the security industry. Since 2004, he has worked at HFC, beginning as a co-op student and then a lab technician before going into teaching.
“I really love teaching. I can’t think of doing anything else,” said Ward. “There are two reasons I love teaching at HFC. The first is my co-workers who support my efforts. The second is the students, who I look forward to working with each day, and whose thirst for knowledge is constantly helping me to refine my teaching skills for an exemplary learning experience.”
“Achieving tenure is a major milestone”
Ward has taught at HFC for 20 years, beginning as adjunct instructor. He has been full-time since 2023. His supervisor is Associate Dean of Industrial Technologies Dr. Sašo Krstovski in the HFC School of Business, Entrepreneurship, and Professional Development (BEPD).
“Greg Ward has supported the HVAC program for a long time. The College and its students are fortunate that he chose to pursue a faculty position. We look forward to his continued leadership of the HVAC program,” said Krstovski.
Recently, Ward and seven other HFC faculty members achieved tenure. He called it a “dream come true.”
“Achieving tenure is a major milestone in my life. I never imagined that I could stand in front of a classroom and teach. The one fear that used to keep me awake at night was glossophobia (fear of public speaking). I can remember saying on several occasions that I would never have a job that involved standing and talking to a group of people,” he said. “However, after being given the opportunity to become an adjunct instructor, I realized that I had an insatiable appetite for teaching, and my fear of public speaking began to decrease. I made the decision to challenge myself to become the type of instructor that can provide the highest levels of service to students.”
For Ward, the most gratifying and rewarding experience of teaching is when a student or alumnus tells him that they are enjoying his classes and that they were able to secure gainful employment.
“It’s just awesome to hear when students come up to you and tell you that you influenced them somehow,” he said. “They say things like, ‘I can tell you’re really interested in teaching us. You go over the subject material with us, making sure we understand it.’ To hear that they’re learning from me is extremely gratifying. That’s instant feedback. To me, it’s another form of payment, which makes HFC such a great place to work.”