NOVEMBER 1999

BAUM

Werner A. Baum

By Amy Welch
FSU Communications Group

Werner A. Baum, a defender of academic freedom and a fighter for higher education, died Sept. 4 at the age of 76. He was one of FSU's pioneering "'49ers," faculty who arrived in 1949 to help the university fulfill its new research mission. Later, as dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, he brought international recognition to FSU's professors and their research.

He was a native of Germany and the founder of the FSU meteorology department.

"Werner Baum was one of the shapers of the modern Florida State University," said Steve Edwards, dean of the faculties. "A scientist of international distinction, he was also a national and international leader in the scientific profession. His unbending standards of academic excellence inspired the faculty to a higher calling."

Baum also served as director of university research, dean of the graduate school and director of research, and dean of the faculties.

Baum's career took him to several other institutions. In 1963, he became vice president of academic affairs at the University of Miami. He was named vice president of scientific affairs at New York University in 1965.

SMITH

In 1967, President Lyndon Johnson appointed Baum deputy director of NOAA. From 1968 to 1973, he was president of the University of Rhode Island and in 1973 he was appointed chancellor of the University of Wisconsin at Milwaukee.
While chancellor at the University of Wisconsin, Baum fought for academic freedom, defending a professor who was threatened with jail and fines if he published his research.
In 1979, Baum returned to FSU. He retired in 1990.

Richard Smith

By Charles E. Connerly
Professor and chairperson
Department of Urban and Regional Planning

The Department of Urban and Regional Planning suffered a great loss when Richard Smith died September 10. He had been suffering for 16 months from lung cancer. He was 59 years old.
Richard was a pillar of the department as a teacher, scholar and chairman.
He received his master's and Ph.D. in planning from Cor-nell University and joined the FSU faculty in 1972.
He taught a variety of courses and was known by his students as a fine teacher, with the ability to explain complex ideas and a sense of humor that enlivened the classroom. He was also known for the high standards he set for himself and his students.
Richard amassed a fine record of research, focused on a variety of urban issues, including fair housing, urban and community structure, and disaster mitigation.
During his chairmanship the department began the Planner in Residence program that attracts a prominent practicing planner to serve on the department's faculty.
Also, during his time as chairman, the department began the Master's Internationalist Program, in cooperation with the U.S. Peace Corps, as a means for preparing students to enter the Peace Corps upon graduation. It was built on the development of a new specialization in the department, planning for developing areas, which Richard was instrumental in creating.
Because Richard led the department forward as a national leader in planning education, scholarship and service, the department recognized him as "Department Builder."
A copy of the plaque will hang in the department's Reading Room, which will also house Richard's library of planning books.
A portrait of Richard will also hang in the department.
Outside the Bellamy Building, plans are underway to honor Richard with a live oak that will be marked with a memorial plaque.
His family has established the Richard A. Smith Memorial Scholarship Fund, with the earnings used to provide financial assistance annually to meritorious master's students in urban and regional planning.
Contributions may be made to the Richard A. Smith Memorial Scholarship Fund, FSU Foundation, University Center Room 3100-C, FSU, Tallahassee, Florida, 32306-2660.

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