Robert E. Gordon Undergraduate Research Support Fund
Robert E. Gordon (1929-1996)
The Robert E. Gordon Museum of Biodiversity Undergraduate Research Support Fund, established in 2011, supports research and scholarly creative projects developed by Notre Dame undergraduate students studying the natural history specimens, collections, and materials maintained within the Museum of Biodiversity.
Dr. Gordon was a vertebrate zoologist and specialist in eastern North American salamanders. He came to Notre Dame’s Biology Department in 1958, serving as Editor of the American Midland Naturalist from 1958 to 1964, and chairman of the Department from 1964 to 1967. He served as Associate Dean of the College of Science from 1967 to 1971, and was Notre Dame’s first Vice President for Advanced Studies (1971-1989) and the first director of the University of Notre Dame Environmental Research Center (UNDERC). He had great enthusiasm for natural history, and recognized the importance of independent research in the educational experience and development of undergraduates.