Class of 1986 | Sociology
Harry Guetherman was born and raised in inner-city Philadelphia where people of his neighborhood rarely made it past that side of town. Yet, at age 18, during the Kennedy administration, Harry enlisted in the U.S. Air Force where he helped maintain Air Force One in his first position.
Harry entered the field of electronics, eventually being assigned to Intercontinental Ballistic Missile maintenance at several locations, including the California coast and Montana. He excelled in his profession. Harry earned many honors in missile maintenance, but felt compelled after 20 years of service, to be the first in his family to graduate with a college degree. At a time when retirement could have been a reality for Harry, he pursued higher education at the College of Great Falls. In doing so, he instilled a sense of purpose within his children, that you are never too old to learn more, do more, and give more.
After graduating in 1986, in Sociology Magna cum Laude, Harry worked for Easter Seal and eventually worked for the State of Montana. He managed and directed programs for individuals with mental, behavioral and physical handicaps and was recognized as a state leader in his field, which included receiving a Governor’s award. At retirement, the Blackfeet Tribe honored him with a ceremony marking his contributions to their community.
Harry remains loyal to UP. He has a lifetime alumni membership, attends local school events to support the school from which he and his son graduated, and where his son-in-law now works. All of this, from growing up in a Philadelphia neighborhood, to serving God and his country in Montana, and now as a distinguished alumnus of the University of Providence.
