It’s 4 p.m. on a Thursday. I’m sitting slumped in a chair, my position a product of a slow, inch-by-inch process over the past 30 minutes. I’m too lazy to right myself, despite being acutely aware of the glut of issues that are consequential to the posture. Not to mention, I’m quite enthralled by the towering, white-haired individual poised with a nonchalant confidence behind the podium delivering one hell of a lecture. At around 6’4″, if not taller, he truly does tower above a seated classroom. Despite his stature, his tact and unflappable demeanor make him accessible and approachable — attributes that make him one of the most beloved professors on campus.

His lectures are often punctuated with bouts of jovial exasperation, directed not at the students, but rather at a few of the ridiculous pharmacological practices that exist “out there.” His vast knowledge is instantly apparent as words and concepts roll smoothly from mind to tongue and questions are answered instantaneously without pause. He takes teaching seriously, as displayed by his dedication to stepping away from the podium when he wishes to make a comment based off years of experience or insight, but isn’t overtly taught in the main textbooks.

Dr. Daniel Richardson, a brilliant mind in the field of Pharmacology and Pharmacognosy, is our professor of Pharmacology. He received his PhD from Loyola Stritch School of Medicine and since then has been a dean at a few schools and a faculty member at even more. Entire pharmacology programs have been written into existence by his hand. He has taught at NUHS for many years and these days, lucky for us, we have him all to ourselves…for the most part. He may not drink Dos Equis, but he may just be the most interesting man in the world.