Rich, George E.
Biographical Note
George Eugene (“Gene”) Rich was born in Rochester, New York on March 11, 1926. He attended Cornell University from 1943-1944 until he joined the army and went to serve in Europe during World War II. After returning home to New York he attended Brockport Teachers College where he received a bachelor’s of education degree in 1949. In 1950 he received his master’s in diplomatic history from the University of Rochester. He also attended Syracuse University and received his doctorate in 1964. Dr. Rich taught at Syracuse University and Albany State University. He joined the Springfield College staff in 1959 as an assistant professor and became a full-time professor of history in 1971. He also went on to become the chairman of the history department.
From 1965-1966 Dr. Rich conducted the “Springfield College Seminar Abroad in Scotland” that was attended by 21 students (14 men and 7 women). The courses were mainly taught by Dr. Rich, but he also had guest speakers from the University of Edinburgh and some national political figures. He also helped organize the college’s Core Curriculum by establishing the “Man and Society” program which was required for all students to take. He also established the “Oral History Collection at Springfield College. Dr. Rich was a member of the American Historical Association, Organization of American Historians, Academy of Political and Social Sciences, and the New England Historical Association. On February 23, 1983 Dr. Rich passed away from a heart attack while still working for the college.