Notices
The 黑料门University Chicago community mourns the death of Richard E. Matland, PhD, professor in the Department of Political Science. Rick passed away on Sunday, August 12.
In 2006, Rick joined the political science faculty as the Helen Houlahan Rigali Chaired Professor, teaching both undergraduate– and graduate–level courses focused on political trust and behavior, the role of women in politics, and research design and methodology.
Rick’s research and teaching spanned several fields within the discipline of political science, including comparative politics, public policy, women’s studies, and American politics.
His research was published in a variety of scholarly journals including the American Journal of Political Science, British Journal of Political Science, Political Psychology, and Social Science Quarterly. He was the author of numerous book chapters, as well as the co-editor of the book, Women's Access to Political Power in Post-Communist Europe, published in 2003 by Oxford University Press. He was also the recipient of numerous external grants, most notably from the National Science Foundation.
An active contributor to Loyola’s graduate program in political science, Rick also chaired the department’s grants committee. Colleagues describe him as an inspiration who challenged others to think outside the box, especially in the science of politics.
Professor Olga Avdeyeva, PhD, said of her colleague, "Richard Matland was a caring mentor, a cherished friend, and a dear colleague. His irrepressible curiosity and natural wittiness inspired many students and colleagues in the field. He was courageous, funny, and smart. I will miss him dearly."
The Matland family will hold memorial services on Saturday, August 25, at 1 p.m. in Madison, Wisconsin. If you would like to attend, please reach out to Nora Rybarczyk in the political science department at 773.508.3047 or via e-mail at nenglun@LUC.edu.
Condolences may be sent to the family in care of the Department of Political Science, Coffey Hall, Room 324, Lake Shore Campus. In lieu of flowers, the family is collecting donations for two funds within the transplant unit of the University of Wisconsin-Madison hospital: a and a fund to support the .
Please remember Rick and his family and friends in your prayers.