Richard K. Vitek, a 1958 chemistry graduate, began his career as a research chemist producing uranium from ore, before moving on to work as a scientist, director and startup CEO. His accomplishments include working with the U.S. Coast Guard to develop UV imaging instruments that analyze oil spills to identify the tankers responsible and develop a method of testing arsenic levels in wine that led the Environmental Protection Agency to impose stricter limits on pesticide use in U.S. vineyards.
Share This Story
Spark a Memory?
Share your story! Fill out the form below to share your fondest memory or anecdote of S&T. If you'd prefer not typing, you can also share by phone at 833-646-3715 (833-Miner150).
All a-Twitter
The creator and co-founder of Twitter — Jack Dorsey — spent a couple of years studying computer science at Missouri…
Gregory McClain: education’s key to success
Gregory McClain, who graduated in 1972 with a bachelor’s degree in engineering management and...
Sandy (Junge) and Brian Klein
Sandy (Junge) and Brian Klein met in 1990 during lunch in the TJ Hall cafeteria. “Sandy needed a typewriter to…
Alumni leading the telecommunications industry
Roy Wilkens, EE’66, and Mario A. Padilla, MetE’60, worked for years to challenge and change the status of the telecommunications…
Cheryl B. Schrader on strategic planning
Cheryl B. Schrader, who served as chancellor between 2012 and 2017, describes her approach to strategic...
EV pioneer
As the auto industry begins to fully embrace the notion of electric vehicles, it has EV pioneers like Jon Bereisa…