Charles A. Smith, PhD   

Title:
Professor of Chemistry  

Biography:
I received a doctorate in physical chemistry at Iowa State University in 1995, where I also taught before moving onto Friends University in Kansas and then to Our Lady of the Lake University in 1998.

Areas of Expertise:
My technical training is in physical chemistry; however, I have become quite acquainted with analytical analyses involving Gas Chromatograph and Mass Spectrometer (GCMS), High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) and spectrophotometric methods of analyses.

In what ways have students participated in your special projects or
conference presentations?:
Every summer and often during any semester, I supervise students on individual undergraduate research projects.  These projects vary in nature depending on the student’s interests.  For example, this summer, five students and I will be working on five different research projects, including the investigation of the use of human hair for chemical testing and the development of lead and hydrogen gas sensors.  At the end of every summer, we always present our research at a professional meeting of the American Chemical Society. 

What has been your greatest success while teaching at Our Lady of the Lake University?:
I believe my greatest success has been turning students on to science especially when they never thought they would be interested in it.  It is quite exciting to see that "light bulb" turn on in a student's mind when they grasp a difficult concept.  I also think starting an undergraduate research program at OLLU has helped students see the big picture and learn why chemists do what they do.

What do students like best about your class?:
On the end of semester student evaluations, some have said that I connect the material with the use of it in everyday life, which gives my students a reason to want to learn it. Students also appreciate that I have helped them learn the material by providing them with demonstrations and interactions.

What is the most rewarding aspect of teaching at Our Lady of the Lake University?
Length of Service at OLLU?: The most rewarding aspect of teaching at OLLU and my greatest success is turning students on to science.

What are some of your former students doing now?:
Some of my students are in graduate school and medical school, while others are now teaching or they are working within the industry.

View All Student and Faculty Profiles>>