John Knehans remembers when his dad would eat lunch with him at his preschool, which was across from his dad's office in Burton Hall.
Knehans, pre-social work junior, will be able to relive those memories with his dad again at OU.
His father, Allen Knehans, will become the first faculty member from the Health Sciences Center to participate in the Faculty in Residence program on the OU campus.
Allen Knehans, a professor of nutritional sciences in the College of Allied Health, will move into a faculty apartment in one of the residence halls with his wife, Jean, this fall.
"This is another way to interact with the students," Allen Knehans said. "I enjoy teaching -- I enjoy working with students."
Allen Knehans also teaches an introduction nutrition class on the Norman campus. He started working at OU in 1982, and in 1989 he transferred to the HSC. He has also gained recognition as a presidential professor.
Joseph Ferretti, senior vice president and provost at the HSC, said Allen Knehans will be a great representative for the HSC.
"I am thrilled that faculty from our campus can be represented on the Norman campus," Ferretti said.
Allen Knehans and his family have been in Norman for 18 years, so the move to the residence halls won't be long distance, just different.
"I feel comfortable here, it is a friendly hospitable environment," Allen Knehans said. "OU treats me well and I appreciate the fact I teach what I do," he said.
Allen Knehans' wife teaches at Norman North High School. She said she is looking forward to the move.
"It will be fun meeting lots of different people," Jean Knehans said. "I haven't been in the dorms for a while, but I loved it the first time -- I know I'll love it the second time around," she said.
The Knehans are planning to stay in the residence halls for three years.
"I'm going to love it until they kick me out," Jean Knehans said.
OU President David Boren began the Faculty in Residence program in 1996.
The program brings faculty families to the residence halls, where they serve as role models, academic advisers, personal counselors and friendly neighbors to students in the residence halls for a period of one to three years.
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