| | Millikin University

Richard Beckwith ’91 of Willoughby, Ohio is doing the work he envisioned for himself while a chemistry major at Millikin. “I'm working on a wide variety of real-life chemistry projects for clients from all over the country. I perform a variety of inorganic analytical tests with an emphasis on drug compound analysis,” he says. He works as a research chemist at Ricerca, LLC east of Cleveland, Ohio, in the analytical services group.
     The Decatur native’s reasons for choosing Millikin were twofold. He grew up only a mile from campus, and that played a part in his decision. “I wanted convenience without sacrificing quality. I valued a smaller college so that I could have more personal interaction with professors.”
     He remembers his chemistry professors fondly. He says, “Homer Smith (professor emeritus), Randy Kok, Clarence Josefson, and Ed Acheson all showed passion for their work and made chemistry fun. I’ve been back to campus several times to visit them, and I’m looking forward to making a return trip this month to view the new science center.”
     When Beckwith’s not busy in the research lab, he enjoys playing checkers, and was a member of the U.S. team in last year’s international match vs. Great Britain-Ireland. He plans to compete again in the national tournament in Las Vegas.
     His advice for students is simple, “Do something you love doing. Keep your skills broad and versatile to keep pace with an ever-changing job market.” He adds, “Millikin laid the foundation for my chosen path in analytical chemistry. The skills learned there carried me on through a successful graduate program and through my current position.”