Biography

Dr. Phil Klingsmith began his teaching career at Western in 1980 as an adjunct professor, and became a full time tenure track professor in the summer of 1983.

Over the next 17 years he worked his way through the ranks as assistant professor, associate professor and full professor.

He served two years as faculty senate chair 1990-1992, and eight years as department chair(1993-2001). He retired from the faculty in 2002, but returned as an emeritus faculty member in 2004, carrying a full teaching load the past 5 years. He is one of only three graduates of Gunnison High School to serve as a tenured faculty member at Western State College.