Oglethorpe is saddened to announce the passing of Professor Emeritus of Chemistry and former Associate Provost, Dr. Keith Aufderheide. Dr. Aufderheide served the University for almost 40 years and was cherished by students, colleagues and alumni. A visitation for Keith will be held Monday, July 7, 2025 from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM at Eternal Hills Funeral Home, 3594 Stone Mountain Highway, Snellville, GA 30039. A funeral service will follow at 2:00 PM.
Keith Aufderheide tells the story that President Manning Pattillo was still a bit uncertain after his visit to campus in the spring of 1980, so he took him to breakfast at Waffle House on his way to the airport. After hearing that Keith was dedicated to student success and to upholding high academic standards, the deal was sealed, and he began his tenure at Oglethorpe in the fall. During the next thirty-nine years, he dedicated himself to teaching Chemistry, Core, FYS, and serving on whatever committee and in whatever role he was called to take. His legacy is largely comprised of the thousands of students who have passed through his chemistry courses—and most did pass! The vast majority of his students noted that his classes were challenging but fair, rigorous but accessible, and that Keith approached his craft with determination, patience and humor.
In his later years, Keith also taught first-year students well outside his expertise. I marveled that the same man who seemingly was rule-bound and objective in his approach also expressed remarkable compassion and empathy for his students. He knew them as people, and they, in turn, came to him with all kinds of issues, both academic and personal. At root, was Keith’s determination for them to succeed not just in school but in life. Keith loved teaching, loved chemistry, and loved Oglethorpe.
Keith’s service to OU has been plentiful and varied. There was no task that Keith did not undertake, and as many of you know, Keith was nothing if not thorough. His voluminous emails and herculean command of detail astounded us all. His work in shepherding the last decennial SACSCOC review was an invaluable service for Oglethorpe. Keith’s work as Associate Provost and, for one year, Co-Provost with Dr. John Nardo was crucial to guiding Oglethorpe forward at a difficult time. What pervaded his outlook was a passion for Oglethorpe’s mission, students, and future. He was a terrific team player who often performed the necessary but unglamorous work—and did so with aplomb.
Keith was a leading proponent of innovative science teaching in his latter years. He spearheaded Oglethorpe’s participation in the National Science Foundation’s SENCER (Science Education for New Civic Engagements and Responsibilities) program, organizing a group from Oglethorpe to attend SENCER Summer Institutes for several years running. He was selected as one of the inaugural SENCER Leadership Fellows. It is no exaggeration to say that the SENCER experience significantly informed the pedagogical changes that many of us in the Science Division have made over the last decade.
Keith graduated from Wilmington College (Ohio) where he grew up and earned his Ph.D. in Chemistry from Miami University. His principles, honesty, and desire to learn more are hallmarks that make him a model of a liberal arts faculty member. His interests in music, sports (especially Ohio State football), politics, literature and education writ large mark him as a true renaissance man. He has truly made a difference for Oglethorpe and for our students. He will be missed by his colleagues, OU alums and all those who knew him.
– Glenn Sharfman, Professor of History
