Dr. Gerald Smith teaches introductory and intermediate physics courses.  His current interests are in astrophysics and cosmology, and he is actively engaged in muon particle research at the University.

He is the most senior member of the Huntington University Faculty, having been at Huntington since 1967.  He has taught both physics and chemistry (including introductory chemistry and physics courses, physical chemistry, modern and radiation physics).

He completed his PhD from Purdue University in radiation physics with a cognate in chemistry.  Prior to teaching at Huntington, he taught two years at a liberal arts college in Michigan following graduate study at the University of Washington in Seattle, Michigan State University, and Louisiana State University.  During his graduate career he was a Fellow of the Atomic Energy Commission and did research at Battelle Northwest of the Hanford Atomic Energy facility in Richland, Washington, and was an PHS Fellow in Radiological Health Physics.  His undergraduate BS degree was from Huntington in chemistry, with physics and mathematics minors.

He holds professional memberships, in the American Physical Society, American Association of Physics Teachers, Neutron Scattering Society of America, Physics Instructional Resource Association, American Chemical Society, and American Association of University Professors.

Dr. Smith has been elected to Sigma Xi science research honorary, Phi Lambda Upsilon chemistry honorary, Alpha Chi, and has been recognized in publications such as Marquis’ Who’s Who in Midwest, Who’s Who in America, Who’s Who in the World, Who's Who in Education and listed in American Men and Women of Science, and Marquis’ Who’s Who in Frontier Science and Technology.  He was recognized by the American Chemical Society (NE Indiana) as Chemist of the Year in 1982, and was awarded an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from his alma mater in 1998.  He was recognized as Alumnus of the Year in 1983 and received the Distinguished Alumni Citation in 1998.

From 1982 to 1998, he served as Vice President and Dean of the College and taught physical chemistry and various physics courses occasionally.  His sixteen years of service as Dean of the College was longer than any previous Dean.  He also served as Acting CFO for several months in 1994-95 and as Interim President for three months in 1996.   He returned to full-time teaching in physics in 1998.

Dr. Smith served ten years as a Consultant-Evaluator for the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, and was a member of the NCA Accreditation Review Council.

He currently is Professor of Physics.

Current Activities

Highlights of Teaching Career Before 1982