David H. Porter Award for Young Alumni Service

MATTHEW J. LUECKHEIDE ’17

Honors one alumna/us graduated one to ten years who has demonstrated outstanding service to the College.

Matt Lueckheide faced a momentous decision last spring. A doctoral candidate in Brown University’s chemistry program, he was offered the opportunity of his dreams: a position in the lab of a distinguished research scientist that would set his graduate studies on an ideal career track. There was one caveat: The June start date coincided with Matt’s commitment to serve as lead student assistant for Reunion 2017. A veteran event staffer, Matt understood the logistical complexity involved in meeting the needs of a thousand campus guests with a corps of 20 student helpers. How he resolved this dilemma tells you everything you need to know about his relationship to his alma mater.

“I literally jumped on a bus from Albany to Providence that Sunday and made it to the interview at Brown in the nick of time — still wearing my Skidmore T-shirt. There wasn’t time to change clothes,” he recalls with a laugh.

The Long Island native grew up in a modest singleparent household and was keen to pursue a career in science. Skidmore’s offer of a generous financial aid package “was life-changing.” Without it, he observes, “enrolling would have been a pipe dream.” Elated, Matt jumped in with both feet, working closely with Chemistry Department faculty and spending long hours at the library and in the lab.

Professor of Chemistry Juan Navea became Matt’s initial research mentor and included him as a co-presenter at several conferences. “He still is my guiding light,” Matt reflects. Professor “Ray Giguere prepared me for the chemical synthesis work so essential to my research focus at Brown. I owe my teaching style to (Associate Professor and Chair of the Chemistry Department) Steve Frey, who demonstrated the value of humor in helping students access challenging material.” These faculty mentors, now trusted friends, continue to guide and support him. At Skidmore, Matt also took up guitar and improv comedy. Those pursuits, he observes, have proven to be “great medicine for anxiety and stress.”

A firm believer in paying it forward, Matt teamed up with Abude Al-Asaad ’17 to co-chair their class Senior Gift campaign. Matt helped deliver record-breaking classmate participation and an offer to match the total raised from Carol Strickland ’72. His involvement in campus life started early on. As a first-year student, Professor of Chemistry Kim Frederick arranged for Matt to share student perspectives with the chief architect of the proposed Center for Integrated Sciences and was the sole chemistry major at a 2016 campus forum on the project. His insightful questions drew the attention of College leadership, including then President Philip Glotzbach. Matt was invited to speak at a number of scholarship dinners and presidential events.

On track to complete his Ph.D. in inorganic chemistry this spring, he admits, “I’m actually more excited about Reunion than finishing my doctorate.” He continues to stay engaged with Skidmore as class fund chair, admissions contact, and career advisor; he rarely misses an alumni gathering.

“Obviously, I love Skidmore with all my heart and soul.” One look at Matt’s wardrobe and apartment décor provides abundant evidence; he owns an impressive collection of Skidmore-branded T-shirts, banners, clocks, and fridge magnets. “But I never expected to be recognized for it. Receiving this award motivates me to work harder to get my class back for Reunion and to help them stay connected to Skidmore.”

Receiving this award motivates me to work harder to get my class back for Reunion and to help them stay connected to Skidmore.

— Matthew J. Lueckheide ’17