Biographical / Historical

Ralph H. Smuckler came to MSU in 1951 as a professor in the Political Science department after finishing his doctoral studies at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. In June of 1955 Smuckler, his wife Lillian, and their two children went to Saigon, Vietnam. Smuckler was the research coordinator for the MSU Vietnam Project. Later that year he became the acting chief advisor replacing Wesley Fishel. In 1956, the family returned to East Lansing and Smuckler became the Assistant Dean of International Programs under Dean Glen Taggart. While he was assistant dean, he also worked half time in the Political Science department.

In April 1958, the Smucklers returned to Saigon because Ralph was appointed head of the Vietnam Project. He served as head until 1959 when he returned to East Lansing and his position as assistant dean. In 1966 Smuckler became acting the dean of International Programs until Taggart’s return from Nigeria in 1967. From 1967 to 1969, Smuckler took a leave of absence fr