Donald E. Schmiedel

With heartfelt sorrow, we share the passing of Donald E. Schmiedel, emeritus associate professor of Spanish. He was a devoted educator, tireless advocate for student success, and a pillar of the College of Liberal Arts.

Schmiedel began his career at Nevada Southern University, and he contributed to the early development of UNLV. Committed to service, he shaped the academic lives of countless students while creating a legacy of mentorship, generosity, and goodwill across the institution.

Schmiedel was a scholar of the Spanish Golden Age. His noted works included a critical edition of El Conde de Sex and “Coello’s Debt to Góngora.” Throughout his distinguished career, Schmiedel served as department chair of Foreign Languages, now World Languages & Cultures, for a combined seven years and as acting chair for another 2½ years. For 13 years, he led the university’s Commencement Committee. He also coordinated lower-division language instruction for nearly a decade and chaired numerous departmental committees.

Schmiedel's impact was not confined to the campus community. A dedicated liaison to the Clark County School District, he gave freely of his time and voice to community groups from the Kiwanis Club to local chambers of commerce. His translation work was offered pro bono because of his lifelong belief in giving back.

That spirit of generosity extended to his life with his late wife, Grace. Together, the Schmiedels championed the UNLV Faculty Staff Holiday Card Scholarship for more than 50 years. What began as a modest gesture, sending one holiday card to unite colleagues in celebration, blossomed into a tradition that has now funded scholarships for generations of students. Today, the fund exceeds $172,000 and continues to reflect the couple’s values of education, gratitude, and shared purpose.

For his extraordinary service, Schmiedel received the Marilyn Kirschner Memorial Service Award in 1992. He retired from UNLV in 1999. In a fitting tribute to his legacy, the College of Liberal Arts established the Donald Schmiedel Lifetime Service Award, an honor that continues to inspire and recognize faculty who embody his spirit of devotion.

Schmiedel was a man of gentle humor, sharp intellect, and great kindness. His legacy lives on in the students he taught, the colleagues he uplifted, and his many contributions to UNLV.