Clarence Beckwith Distinguished Alumni Award: Richard Smart
Richard H. Smart worked for aerospace giant McDonnell DouglasÌýCorporation for 37 years. Hired as a project and design engineer, he wasÌýresponsible for the development, presentation and ultimate sale of the Delta LaunchÌýVehicle System to NASA.
Following his success with the Delta project, Richard went on to serve as the deputyÌýdirector of operation control and then director of industrial engineering. In 1985, he
was named manufacturing program manager, a position he held until his retirement.
Upon his retirement, Richard returned to his community college roots as an adjunctÌýfaculty member of physics at Connors State College in Warner, Oklahoma, and TulsaÌýCommunity College.
Richard received his associate’s degree from Benton Harbor Junior College, theÌýpredecessor to LMC, in 1950. He holds Bachelor of Science degrees in EngineeringÌýand Mathematics from the University of Michigan as well as a Master of ScienceÌýdegree in Engineering from the University of Southern California.
Richard Smart received theÌýClarence Beckwith Distinguished Alumni Award in 2007.
