Dr. Richard Schmude
Faculty Spotlight
What is your title? Professor of Chemistry
Where did you earn your degrees? Texas A&M University (BA, MS, PhD)
What are your current responsibilities at Gordon? Teach classes, CETL Fellow, Faculty Advisor to the Chemistry Club
When did you come to Gordon? I came to Gordon in September of 1994.
What are your favorite courses to teach, and why? My favorite class to teach is integrated science because the class is challenging, but the students want to learn the material and are motivated to do the work.
What interests you about your field? I am interested in astronomy because something is always changing. I have carried out brightness measurements mostly of the planets since 1991.
What are some highlights of your career at Gordon? Writing three books, Volunteer of the Year (2005), having a minor planet named after me (2016) and being nominated for the Felton Jenkins award (2018 & 2019).
What do you hope students gain from their classroom experience with you? I hope my students learn how to think from my classes and become successful in life.
Beyond the Gordon campus, I like to… Beyond the Gordon Campus, I like to visit the monastery of the Holy Spirit and do prayer walks.
Proudest moment at Gordon? Proudest moments at Gordon: Completed three books related to Astronomy (2008, 2010 and 2012).