Richard N. Smith (BA, Rice, 1970; MS, PhD, California—Berkeley, 1974) is retired from Rensselaer. He spent 44 years as a Professor in the Department of Mechanical, Aerospace and Nuclear Engineering. His research and teaching expertise was in thermal and fluid sciences, with research applications in manufacturing and materials processing, especially solidification processing, as well as energy utilization and conversion. He served as a Program Officer at the National Science Foundation between 2001-2004 and from 2010 -2013. From 2004 to 2009, he was Associate Dean of Engineering for Academic and Student Affairs. He has represented the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) as a Commissioner (Team Chair) for the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET. He is a Life Fellow of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers and a Life-Member of the American Society for Engineering Education.