He pulls out a little slip of paper from his black bag with these words written on it:

“Work hard eight hours a day – don’t worry. Then you can become the boss and work 16 hours a day and have all the worry.”

Although Dr. Paul Aliapoulios has lived by these words of advice from his father, he hardly needs a slip of paper to remind him to work hard – he does that naturally.

Aliapoulios is retiring at the end of this year after 25 years spent teaching at the School of Music. Although he will be leaving Northwestern, he will not be leaving music behind.

“If you have a passion for music, you just can’t give it up,” he said.

During his 25 years at NU, Aliapoulios served as associate dean for 20 years, acting dean for one year, a choral conductor and a professor of music education.

“I don’t know anyone on the School of Music faculty who has done a wider variety of things in the past 25 years,” said Bruce Hall, a Music senior lecturer. “They’ll probably need a couple of people to do all the things he still does.”

After stepping down as associate dean in 1995 to return to teaching, Aliapoulios took over as chairman of music academic studies and composition when Music Assoc. Prof. John Buccheri gave up the position.

“He did it only because he’s a very dedicated person,” Buccheri said. “He’s always been willing to spread himself out depending on the needs of the school.”

Although Aliapoulios was planning to retire in December, he said he stayed on an extra few months to help Music faculty adjust to his departure.

“It meant working until June, but it really helped us through a transition,” said Music Dean Bernard Dobroski, who is on leave this quarter.

Aliapoulios’ wife, Janet, is a retired teacher who has been living at their house in Maine for the past few months. But he is staying in Evanston until June out of dedication to the school.

“He’s always put the university first because he’s always felt so strongly about the school, but he’s able to keep a balance,” she said.

Acting Music Dean Frederick Hemke said Music administrators ask Aliapoulios to take on added responsibilities not only because he is willing, but also because he can handle them.

“Paul has always been able to make the hard decision, and that’s the ability that separates the good administrators from the other administrators,” said Hemke. “He has a real love for music that transcends his ability to be a fine administrator. You can be a leader, you can be an administrator, but you have to have the love for music to make it work.”

In fall 2000, the Northwestern Alumni Association recognized Aliapoulios with an Excellence in Teaching award.

When Music graduate student Ryan Eikmeier arrived at NU in 1999, he was not sure he could meet the School of Music’s expectations. But by working one-on-one with Aliapoulios, Eikmeier said he gained the confidence he needed.

“He made me believe I could do a lot more than I believed I could do,” Eikmeier said.

When taking courses in choral conducting and vocal technique, students say the individual attention Aliapoulios gives his students is invaluable.

“What makes him stand out is that he cares about the students as individuals,” said Becca Pascal, a Music junior.

Pascal said Aliapoulios taught one of the first Music classes she took – she was a freshman among juniors and seniors. Instead of locking Pascal out from the class because she was too young, Aliapoulios gave her extra attention and encouragement and made her feel comfortable in the class, she said.

“It was known in the class that if I were to fall on my face, it was OK,” Pascal said. “He’s very encouraging, he’s very supportive, he’s very enthusiastic and he’s the type of teacher you want to be.”

Dobroski said Aliapoulios has been a mentor to students for as long as they have been working together. Dobroski said he remembers working with Aliapoulios on the School of Music’s academic dismissal committee. Although Aliapoulios often had to deliver the bad news to students, “it was never ‘there’s no hope for you,'” Dobroski said.

“I can think of so many students who, on a weekly basis, kept in touch (with Aliapoulios) from across the country while reflecting on whatever resulted in their dismissal or suspension,” Dobroski said.

Although Aliapoulios said he jokes with people that when he retires to Maine he will “grow a beard and cut down trees,” he undoubtedly will continue to be involved in music. He said he plans to practice saxophone and may research choral music or sing in a local choir.

“Music is his life,” Janet Aliapoulios said. “He’ll never be able to leave it behind. He couldn’t live without it.”