The University of New Hampshire community mourns the loss of William A. Condon, Professor Emeritus of biology and animal sciences in the College of Life Sciences and Agriculture, who passed away on April 28 after a 16-month battle with cancer.
Bill was born in Lawrence, Massachusetts, in 1943. He received a Bachelor of Arts in biology from Merrimac College in 1965 and a Ph.D. in animal science (reproduction) from the University of Massachusetts in 1975. He completed a post-doctoral fellowship at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine in 1976.
Bill joined the UNH community in 1976. He taught and developed numerous courses ranging from principles of biology to animal rights and societal issues to upper-level lecture and lab courses in endocrinology and reproductive physiology. His work in the classroom was recognized by the conference of two awards: In 1997 he earned the Excellence in Teaching Award from the College of Life Sciences and Agriculture, and in 2000 the university recognized him with the Jean Brierley Teaching Award. Both reflected his commitment to academic excellence and the fostering of critical thinking in his students.
During his tenure, Bill was granted two sabbaticals to delve into interactive teaching pedagogies useful in the instruction of students in large classes. He used this information in his own classes and shared the knowledge and experience with graduate students while instructing them in effective college teaching methods. With the assistance of the Teaching Excellence Center, he produced a one-hour video demonstrating his interactive technique. The video was converted into a DVD and was received enthusiastically by educators at other universities, especially those in the life and physical sciences.
Bill spent his entire 37-year career at UNH. He started a research lab focused on steroidogenesis of the bovine corpus luteum (CL), a transient endocrine gland and the primary source of the steroid progesterone in the mammalian estrous cycle. The CL is formed following ovulation. It remains active for 14 days, then regresses until the next cycle and a new corpus luteum is formed. If the animal becomes pregnant, the CL does not regress, but produces progesterone sufficient to maintain the pregnancy. Bill’s research interests included establishing both short and long-term in vitro culture systems and the mechanism of progesterone production by bovine luteal cells to study the effects of hormones, steroids and other compounds in better understanding the formation of the CL and its ability to produce progesterone, followed by factors leading to either the demise of this endocrine gland or the maintenance of the CL during pregnancy.
The Condon lab in Kendall Hall trained 11 graduate students completing master’s degrees and three completing doctorates. These students produced 13 scientific publications in peer-reviewed journals from their work in the lab and went on to successful careers in academia, industry and veterinary medicine. Bill, himself, authored a remarkable 20 papers in the discipline of reproductive physiology during his career.
Bill served as acting chair of the animal sciences department from 1983-1985 and then chair of the animal and nutritional sciences department from 1985-1993, navigating the departments through a merger. He was instrumental in the hiring, development and support of several junior faculty members who were active in research and teaching, making important contributions to the university and their respective fields.
Dedication to family was as important to Bill as his work at UNH. He enjoyed spending time with his wife, working in the garden, dining out and traveling to destinations near and far. He cheerfully devoted much love and energy to his children and grandchildren, sharing in their highs and lows and shaping their characters.
Bill is survived by his wife, Linda; his daughters, Lisa and Tammy; his sons-in-law, David and Scott; his grandchildren, Ryan, Madison and Travis; his brother, Bob, and his sister, Judy.
Bill is remembered as a friend, mentor and colleague to many in the UNH community. His smile, kindness, dedication, loyalty, ethical nature and quick wit left an indelible mark on those lucky enough to have worked with or been taught or advised by him.
Written by Lisa Merrill ’89, Bill’s daughter, with assistance from two of his former graduate students, Janet Poff ’85 and Shari Litch Gray ‘88.