Through Schmidt’s support, one of the industry’s most technically advanced organs provides the highest quality music possible, and it allows audiences to enjoy the most realistic pipe organ sound available in a pipeless organ. The Allen Renaissance R-380 features the world’s first programmable stop list and CD-ROM sample library. The organ includes the Renaissance Choir Division, SoundMatrix technology and Virtual Acoustics features ranging from pipe chamber to cathedral sounds.

The organ was officially dedicated earlier this year in a concert performed by Thomas Hazleton.

The Hatfield Hall organ is not Schmidt’s first donation to the musical well-being of the college. He also donated another organ constructed by the Allen Organ Co. of Macungie, Pa., and a 25-year-old Steinway grand piano to the White Chapel, which opened in the fall of 2001.

Schmidt retired in 1995, ending a 46-year career of service to Rose-Hulman and its students. He graduated from Rose-Hulman in 1949. For more than 35 years, he was the organist at the college’s graduation ceremonies, and he often accompanied the Rose Glee Club, a group he served as adviser for 25 years. Schmidt stressed involvement as the key to his teaching philosophy.

In addition to his classroom duties and musical assistance, Schmidt was co-designer for the mathematics degree curriculum in 1959, co-founder and instructor for the pre-freshman Summer Institute (approximately 1960), and co-founder and director of Operation Catapult (1967-1983).

“Professor Schmidt’s generosity has enabled Rose-Hulman to equip its two newest buildings with the best organs available, and the equipment will serve the Rose-Hulman community well into the future,” said Mark Richter, vice president for development and external affairs.