Richard Zakrzewski

Dr. Richard Zakrzewski served as Professor of Geosciences and Chief Curator of the Sternberg Museum of Natural History at Fort Hays State University (FHSU) from 1969 until his retirement in 2012. A renowned vertebrate paleontologist, his work focused on Mesozoic-Cenozoic stratigraphy and fossil rodent systematics. He advised 30 MA theses and contributed to over 65 peer-reviewed publications.

Education: PhD (1968), MS (1965) in Geology from University of Michigan; BS (1963) in Geology from Wayne State University.

Research emphasized Neogene terrestrial biostratigraphy and rodent evolution, including studies of Pliocene-Pleistocene faunal transitions in Kansas. He collaborated on projects like the Gray Fossil Site (Tennessee) and Pleistocene sites in Kansas.

Awards include the 40-Year Service Award (2010), Graduate School Lifetime Achievement (2008), and Outstanding Thesis Advisor (2008). His legacy includes mentoring over 100 graduate students who became prominent researchers.