Throughout his long career, Rodney Schreiner made outstanding contributions to the University of Wisconsin-Madison and its community. He was one of the chemistry department’s biggest assets, and probably its most valuable and creative academic staff member. Institutions including Wisconsin Public Television, University of Wisconsin Press, the Center for Humanities, as well as the chemistry department as a whole are more enriched and more accomplished because of the depth and scope of his involvement.

He was instrumental in founding the Wisconsin Initiative for Science Literacy, including the creation of this Web site, which opens the WISL and the links between science, the arts and humanities to the entire world. In addition he was a superb teacher, as many of his students and colleagues will gladly attest. Rodney made major contributions in experimental design, exploration, and writing with his published works, which include “Chemical Demonstrations: A Handbook for Teachers of Chemistry” Volumes 1-5, “Chemical Equilibrium,” “Chemical Kinetics,” and the “Workbook for General Chemistry,” for which he is principal co-author.

An accomplished presenter, Rodney has done chemistry demonstrations, presentations, and experiments in places as diverse as middle schools, shopping malls, Disney’s Epcot Center, and the Memorial Union Terrace. Through all these accomplishments, Rodney worked thoughtfully and tirelessly to improve the means of communicating science to learners of all ages.

Rodney retired at the end of 2016, but continues his on-campus involvement—most notably as co-chair of the the McPherson Eye Research Institute's Vision Gallery Committee.