Page 8 - CEMS News Summer 2020

CEMS NEWS
Schmidt continued from page 5
He said “You should have come to see me sooner, Barbara.” I replied with apologies and a little chagrin
that I could have benefited from his advice earlier in my program. He replied, “Well that might also be true, but what I mean is you should have talked to me about your class choices: you don’t have enough credits to graduate. All of your credits from the business school don’t count because they aren’t accredited at the same level as the Institute of Technology. You are 2 credits short.” I had done enough credits for a minor in business, and they didn’t count! His advice: take a sport, which was from
a college that was accredited. Turned out that Lanny
and racquetball helped me graduate on time! And that business minor has served me well!
Alessandro Donazzi: I work as associate professor at Politecnico di Milano, Milan, Italy. I am deeply saddened about Lanny’s passing. During my PhD school, I was a visiting researcher at Professor Schmidt’s laboratory
for one year, from the summer of 2007 to 2008. If I
have chosen to work in the academy and if I am now
a professor, it is thanks to Professor Schmidt, with no doubt. When I came to Minneapolis, I found a fraternal atmosphere and a hardworking lab. With his outstanding example as a scientist, brilliant and intimately dedicated, Professor Schmidt taught me and everyone to love research and teaching. Professor Schmidt had the simplicity and the genuineness of the most exceptional professors. I remember working with him and his group as a most joyful period of my life, so good that I decided
I would have to try the same, once back home. Over the course of the years, I have met several other scientists he had advised, so deep and important was his influence in the scientific community. I am honored to have been one of Professor Lanny Schmidt’s students.
Erik Einset (PhD ChE ’91): I was sad to hear of Prof. Schmidt’s passing last week. He was on my thesis committee back in 1991, and was always very supportive and inspiring, and had a great sense of humor. It was nice to see him a couple of years ago when we were out for
a department reunion. He will be missed, but has left a legacy that will continue in the department and the field.
Janice Evers (ChE ’85): I remember Dr. Schmidt as willing to spend extra time to help and explain his material. He was also very helpful in consulting on a project while I was working at 3M.
Troy Goodnough (ChE ’97, Chem ’97): I serve as sustainability director at UMN Morris. My first job out
of college was with a start-up company owned by W.L. Gore and Associates in California. I worked as a III-V metal-organic-vapor-phase epitaxialist (or semiconductor crystal grower) for several years there. I remember when
I was living in a rented house off of Como Avenue when
I got the news that I was invited by Gore to work on a semiconductor production reactor. I was so excited. I had Professor Schmidt for my reactor engineering course,
and it was one of my favorite classes. At the time, Lanny was preparing a new textbook – and I think we were some of his first guinea pigs. It was this big photocopied book with a green paper cover. It was a fantastic book! I remember packing that book up with me as I headed out to California. I spent about a decade in semiconductor start-up companies before I moved to Morris and started a new sustainability career. Minnesota (and the world) has lost a giant. Professor Schmidt was an institution within an institution. We will all remember his fierce intellect, wit and humor.
Raymond Gorte (PhD ChE ’81): I feel very fortunate
to have been one of Lanny’s students. He was a great teacher, creative researcher, a wonderful human being, and a true friend. I want to share a story that occurred about 20 years ago. I was having a drink with a friend (Chuck) and we were discussing the fact that many of our academic colleagues take on many of the aspects of their thesis advisors. I said to Chuck that I did not fit the pattern. He laughed so hard that beer came through his nose
and said, “You ARE Lanny.” It may have been the greatest compliment I ever received.
William Harris (ChE ’64, MS ’70): I took Lanny Schmidt’s course in surface chemistry. It may have been the first time he presented it. I remember how he was able to get across complicated material using simple models. His lectures were thoroughly enjoyable and he himself always friendly and approachable.
Andrew Hillier (PhD ChE ’95): Lanny was a great teacher (one of my favorites). I recall taking kinetics with him
(and getting called on frequently during class...generally not knowing the answer). Lanny was also on my PhD committee. I had Lanny visit UVA to give a seminar when
I was still an assistant professor...and he called on me during his lecture!!! He threatened to take my PhD back if I answered his question incorrectly. What a guy. He will be missed.
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