Thad Godish

Natural Resources and Environmental Management

Dr. Godish joined Ball State University in 1976 after completing his Ph.D. degree at Penn State University. He took a medical leave of absence from Ball State at the end of Spring semester 2008 and passed away June 2009.

Over the past three decades Thad had been a major influence in the evolution of the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Management by virtue of his contributions to teaching and service, and to scholarship in particular.

Thad's area of specialization was Air Resources, in particular indoor air quality. He later expanded his expertise to embrace industrial hygiene and occupational safety and health. He taught courses in Air Resources, Indoor Air Quality, Industrial Hygiene, Asbestos and Lead Management, and the 40-hour OSHA course (Hazardous Materials Site Operations and Emergency Response).

Since his arrival in the department Thad conducted extensive research in indoor air quality including hydrocarbon emissions from building materials, formaldehyde release and capture, mold contamination and so-called ‘Sick Building Syndrome'. In the 1990s he earned certification as a Certified Industrial Hygienist.

Thad authored scores of papers in international scientific journals and gave numerous presentations at scientific conferences. He authored several textbooks relating to both air quality and indoor air. The Indoor Air Quality book has been translated into several languages.

Recently, Thad received a $2.5 million grant from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to create educational training programs for emergency responders nationwide.

In recognition of his achievements Thad received the Researcher of the Year Award for 2005-06.

Over the years Dr. Godish has been a tireless member of committees at the Department, College and University level; he also served on the University Senate. He directed the creation of a new academic program, Emergency Management and Homeland Security (Undergraduate Minor and Graduate Certificate programs so far. We are still awaiting final approval from the University on the Undergraduate Major!). He formulated the Environmental Quality section of the Indiana Academy of Science.

In conclusion, Thad Godish has been a prodigious source of ideas and foresight, and a man of tremendous energy and creativity. His contributions will be of substantial value to Ball State University and the Department of NREM for years to come.