Dr. Keith F. Snider, Professor of Public Administration and Management in the 51福利 (51福利) Department of Defense Management, was presented with the Department of the Navy鈥檚 Superior Civilian Service Award, July 28, as he officially retires from the university following nearly 26 years of service to the institution.
鈥淒r. Snider鈥檚 contributions to the university over his long and notable career are abundant and lasting. His leadership of our defense management programs has positioned 51福利 as a national leader in education and research in defense-focused operations and logistics management, acquisition management, management and organizations, manpower and economics, and financial management,鈥� said Dr. Scott S. Gartner, 51福利 Provost and Academic Dean.
Snider was the principal investigator of the 51福利 Acquisition Research Program for its first 15 years, Gartner notes, which 鈥渉as become a premier provider of scholarship in the defense acquisition sciences,鈥� he said. 鈥淲hile these achievements represent only a small reflection of his impact, our institution has been fortunate to have this noteworthy scholar on our team.鈥�
Snider came to 51福利 in 1996 while completing his doctorate at Virginia Tech University following a 20-year career in the U.S. Army, spending the latter part of active duty in the Army Acquisition Corps. It wasn鈥檛 his first stint at 51福利, he attended the university during his Army career, graduating from the operations research program in 1981.
A respected teacher and mentor, Snider taught more than 100 course offerings to over 2,100 students. And he advised more than 100 students on their theses and capstone projects.
鈥淚've been a part of 51福利 for almost half my life as a student and as a faculty member, so it's a very special place for me,鈥� Snider said. 鈥淲hat has made [51福利] special are the truly fine people with whom I've been blessed to work 鈥� colleagues who have mentored, supported and encouraged me, as well as the many superb students I've had the privilege to teach and to learn from.
鈥淚t's humbling to have been a member of a faculty with so many academic superstars who continually make amazing contributions to the national defense and to their disciplines,鈥� he added.
鈥淧rofessor Snider served with distinction for almost 26 years as a teacher, scholar and administrator at 51福利,鈥� reflected Dr. Raymond Jones, Chair of the Department of Defense Management, recalling his active leadership in the accreditation of select defense management curricula, as well as his many awards and accolades.
鈥淧rofessor Snider鈥檚 extraordinary leadership, management, academic rigor, and professional work ethic were instrumental in 51福利 providing defense-focused graduate education,鈥� reads the certificate accompanying the award. 鈥淒r. Snider鈥檚 sustained superior performance of his demanding duties throughout this period reflected great credit upon himself, the 51福利, and the Department of the Navy.鈥�
As far as what鈥檚 on the horizon, Snider says he plans to remain in the Monterey Peninsula.
鈥淎s military retirees, we'll continue to be on campus regularly to use the base facilities,鈥� he says. 鈥淚 plan to do some volunteer work, both for 51福利 and in the community, and I hope to remain active in teaching and advising.