Donn Ritchie
Education
Background
I grew up in Massillon, Ohio, and began my teaching career in a small community in
southern Ohio. After trying other professions, I returned to the
public education sector in Riverton, Wyoming, where I spent 12 years teaching a
variety of science courses and coaching swimming and track. I joined the faculty
at San Diego State University in the Fall of 1990, where I eventually served as chair from 2000-2005 and continue to direct the department's Distance Certificate and Masters programs.
Interests and goals
I tend to be a goal driven person--I'm always looking for something new to try to master (or at least feel somewhat accomplished). Some of my more noteworthy completed goals include:
- Moving 'out west' and hand-building an earth sheltered home in Wyoming;
- Completing my doctorate and becoming a university professor;
- Teaching overseas (I completed a 6-month Fulbright position in Cyprus as well as taught a course on the island nation of Palau);
- Traveling the world (I've done educational presentations in Russia, China, Australia, Cyprus, Singapore, and Palau, explored in Egypt, Cambodia, China, Thailand, and Costa Rica, and climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro);
- Visiting places of noteworthy archeology (Egyptian sites down the Nile, Ankor Wat in Cambodia, Aztec sites in Mexico, and stone circles in England);
- Completing an Ironman Triathlon without any unsightly malfunctions (I also had an online article written about me then later came in 12 in my age group at the World Championships in 2006).
And of course, there are many things I'd yet like to accomplish. Some of following goals are decades old; others have become of interest in the past few years.
- Becoming an astronaut (my dream since growing up during the time of the space race, but it's still way too expensive);
- Competing in the olympics (OK, I don't see that one happening either);
- Visiting the ancient city of Machu Picchu (hopefully in 2008);
- Traveling to Antarctica (hopefully in December, 2007);
- Getting on the podium at the Ironman World Championships (goal by 2010);
- Completing one of the great trails in the US (Pacific Rim, Great Divide, or Appalachian Trail--maybe in 2011);
- Having a house in the southern hemisphere so we can travel with the sun.
Other Interests
My non-goal directed interests include spending time with my wife Barbara and daughter Skylar, hiking, cross-country skiing,
landscaping, photography, maintaining a healthy diet and lifestyle, and of course, working with university students at SDSU.
This is a personal home page and does not represent the opinions of San Diego State University.
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