Don Schmiedel is a retired emeritus associate professor of Spanish, with an illustrious career in teaching and service. A recipient of the Marilyn Kirschner Memorial Service Award in 1992, Schmiedel served as the chair of the commencement committee for 13years, served as department chair of Foreign Languages (currently World Languages & Cultures) for a combined period of 7 years, and served as acting chair for another 2.5 years. His departmental service further included acting as coordinator of the lower division language classes for nine years, and chairing innumerable departmental committees.

An active liaison to the Clark County School District, Schmiedel also gave scores of talks over the years for organizations ranging from the Kiwanis Club to the Stow-Munroe Falls Chamber of Commerce, and completed several pro bono translation projects. His knowledge of the field, coupled with his customary good humor, made him an invaluable ambassador of goodwill for his department and for UNLV.