Darrel Schmitz, a professor in Mississippi State University’s Department of Geosciences, is retiring after 28 years at the university.
A reception for his retirement was held in the John Grisham Room of Mitchell Memorial Library Aug. 24.
Schmitz is an alumnus of MSU; he graduated in 1980 with a bachelors of science in geology. In 1985, he attended the University of Mississippi to receive his masters in engineering science, specifically geology. Finally, six years later in 1991, Schmitz earned his PhD in geology from Texas A&M University.
Schmitz’s dedication to geology shows in more places than his degrees. He credits his high school guidance counselor, Brother Paul Weddle, for encouraging him to pursue studies in the geosciences.
Schmitz said geology caught his attention due to his general interest in assuming the “detective” role and his interest in science as a child.
“What continued to keep my interest in geology was the curriculum I had here at MSU as an undergraduate, and being able to co-op with U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) while here,” Schmitz said.
Schmitz began his MSU career as an assistant professor up until until 1995, when Schmitz became an associate professor until 2000.
For the last 18 years, Schmitz acted as a full professor and said he enjoyed his responsibilities in teaching, research and service in the areas of engineering geology, hydrogeology, environmental geology and Mississippi and Gulf Coast geology.
Schmitz also served as the head of the Department of Geosciences for eight years. During his time as a professor, Schmitz taught 18 different courses, from chemical hydrogeology to summer geology field camp.
The current department head, John Rodgers, said he will miss Schmitz’s regional expertise.
“Darrel Schmitz is an expert on Mississippi and Gulf Coast geology, and he is an excellent field geologist,” Rodgers said. “He will truly be missed.”
With more than 28 years of memories to choose from, Schmitz was understandably unable to pick a favorite.
“There are many fond memories, too many to try to pick one,” he said. “They range from teaching and research related to professional affiliations and of course sports.”
Schmitz describes his time at MSU as overall enjoyable. He worked with great colleagues, including faculty, staff and students—both undergraduate and graduate.
Schmitz was also recognized as a Fellow of the Geology Society of America. He has also received the prestigious Charles R. Sherman award from the National Association of State Boards of Geology, for which he served as president.
Over his many years in the field, Schmitz was also awarded several Presidential Awards from the Association of Environmental and Engineering Geologists, another group for which he acted as president.
On two separate occasions, Schmitz served as president of the Mississippi State Board of Registered Geologists, where he was personally appointed by the governor of Mississippi.
Despite his numerous accomplishments, Schmitz’s largest source of pride continues to be his students. Throughout his 28-year academic career, Schmitz advised over 300 undergraduate geoscience majors. He also graduated 44 MSU on-campus thesis students, three on-campus non-thesis students and many off-campus non-thesis students. After his official retirement, Schmitz will graduate two more students after his defense of their theses.
Schmitz also had the opportunity to graduate two doctoral students after the inception of MSU’s PhD program in Earth and Atmospheric Sciences.
Twenty of his 44 MSU students were independently funded and hired before or at the time of their graduations. The remaining 24 were also quickly accounted for, whether they went on to a doctoral program, employed by the federal (or international, in one case) government, state agencies or consulting firms.
One of his past students, Cale Sellers, now works at Southern Company, an energy-producing company.
“I can certainly say I would not be where I am or who I am if it weren’t for him,” Sellers said. “He was the main person who talked me into coming back to Mississippi State to get my graduate degree. He will be truly missed at Mississippi State, but his legacy will remain for quite some time.”
Schmitz has no current plans for his retirement, aside from staying in Starkville and remaining active as a geologist. However, he said he has several things to catch up on around the house.