University of Richmond appoints economics chair Robert M. Schmidt as interim dean of the Robins School of Business

June 19, 2009

University of Richmond has appointed Robert M. Schmidt, chair of the economics department and a 28-year professor at the Robins School of Business, as interim dean of the Robins School.

Schmidt takes over July 1 for Jorge Haddock, who is stepping down to become dean of the George Mason University School of Management. He will serve while the search for Haddock's successor continues.

Schmidt joined the Robins School as an assistant professor of economics in 1981, after earning his bachelor's degree from the University of Wisconsin and master's and doctoral degrees from Duke University. During his tenure, he has published dozens of scholarly articles, monographs, technical papers, reports and presented papers. He has received numerous research grants, contracts and awards from organizations ranging from state and national government agencies to the World Bank.

In 2008, he won the Robins School's Distinguished Educator Award.

Schmidt holds memberships in Omicron Delta Kappa national leadership honor society, Beta Gamma Sigma business honor society and Phi Kappa Pi honor society. He is a fellow of Duke University's Center for Demographic Studies and a member of the American, Southern and Western economic associations and the Population Association of America.