1969
Earns a Bachelor of Arts in sociology, magna cum laude, from the University of Pittsburgh.
1974
Begins his tenure at Towson University as an assistant professor, later becoming an associate professor in 1982.
1976
Graduates from the University of Pittsburgh with a Doctor of Philosophy in rhetoric and communication.
1976
Wins four Outstanding Teaching Grants, the most such awards among Towson University faculty, through 1980.
1979
Is a senator in the university senate and academic senate at Towson University until 2020.
1980
Serves as a psychology editor for USA Today Magazine until 2022.
1982
Is appointed as a faculty member in the Honors College at Towson University.
1987
Sponsored the National Winner of the Wadsworth Publishing Co. Inc. Oratory Contest.
1989
Is a full professor at Towson University until 2023.
1994
Receives the Thomas Szasz Civil Liberties Award.
2002
Is honored as the first Teacher of the Year by the Student Government Association at Towson University.
2003
Receives the Faculty Volunteer Service Award from Towson University.
2004
Is keynote speaker at the first “Towson’s Elite” Night and receives the Towson University President’s Award for Distinguished Service.
2004
Receives a Governor’s Citation for Achievements in Higher Education and Service from former Maryland Governor Robert Leroy Ehrlich Jr.
2010
Is named First Faculty Member of the Year by the Student Government Association at Towson University.
2014
Sponsors the Richard E. Vatz Best Debater Award Endowment at Towson University until today.
2018
Sponsors the Richard E. Vatz Agenda-Spin Persuasion Award for the Eastern Communication Association through today.
2022
Towson University dedicates the Van Bokkelen Hall Auditorium to Richard E. Vatz, renaming it the Richard E. Vatz Auditorium.
2023
Becomes a distinguished professor emeritus at Towson University.
2024
Authors the seventh edition of “The Only Authentic Book of Persuasion: The Agenda-Spin Method” with Bookwrights House.