November 20-21, 2003

ITEM 121-2003-R1103   Authorization to Confer the Title of Professor Emeritus of Chemistry upon Reed A. Howald; Montana State University-Bozeman

 

THAT: Upon the occasion of the retirement Reed A. Howald from the faculty of Montana State University, the Board of Regents wishes to express its appreciation for his service to the University, the Montana University System, and the people of the State of Montana.

 

EXPLANATION: Dr. Howald joined the faculty of Montana State University in 1963 as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Chemistry. Dr. Howald received his B.S. degree from Oberlin College in 1952 and his Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin in 1955. He has served as a faculty member at MSU for 30 years of his academic career.

Dr. Howald served as the radiological safety officer and dealt with the immediate crises with the regulatory agencies (at that time the Atomic Energy Commission), and was instrumental in obtaining a broad license for the use of radioisotopes by Montana State University (then Montana State College) across the state of Montana. Under Dr. Howald's direction, the research use of radioisotopes evolved and increased, especially in the biological sciences. While it is clear that the regulatory aspects of radiological safety were severely under funded, the program prospered. Dr. Howald has continued to make valuable contributions as a member of the radiation sources committee after his retirement.

Within the Chemistry and Biochemistry Department, Dr. Howald contributed greatly in teaching, research, and service on departmental committees. At the undergraduate level, Dr. Howald made major contributions in teaching the honors freshman chemistry course, in writing a chemistry textbook, in team teaching the large freshman chemistry course, and in his contribution toward the use of computers for data collection. Equally important were his contributions in the teaching of the graduate courses, especially in kinetics and thermodynamics.

Dr. Howald has made significant contributions to research in chemistry throughout his career, and continues publishing in scientific journals. He was especially productive during the period when magnetohydrodynamics research was funded at Montana State University.

For these and other contributions, the Board of Regents of Higher Education is pleased to confer Reed A. Howald the rank of Professor Emeritus of Chemistry at Montana State University and wishes him well for many years in the future.