Department of Chemistry Fall 2006 | Volume 25 Chair’s Report The response to the first newsletter was over- whelming. Some 57 alumni wrote back including Telling the Story – Staying in Touch news from Madeleine Reines Jacobs (BA’68) who 25 Years of Chemistry Department began working as a science writer for the Smith- Newsletters sonian News Service, Robert Brasted (BS ’38), who was directing the General Chemistry pro- his issue of the GW Chemistry gram at the University of Minnesota, and G. Lee Robert Brasted Prof. King Department Newsletter marks the Southard (MS ’62), who was president of his own Ttwenty-fifth consecutive departmen- research laboratories in New Brunswick, NJ. The 1981 newsletter tal newsletter we’ve published. Its primary also described the recruitment of Prof. Akbar Montaser as our new goal has always been to assist in remaining connected to our analytical chemist. alumni. It was in 1980 that co-editors, Robert Vincent and Theodore Perros set out to “inform you of our current activities, 1982 told of the beginning phases of the renovation of Corcoran to trace the wanderings of our graduates, and to report where they Hall and plans for an alumni reunion. A complete renovation, are and what they are doing.” Bob and Ted had no idea whether bringing the building up to code and adding a means of egress from their goal of informing and being informed would succeed when the large teaching labs, ultimately took place in 1987. Among the they set out on to tell the marvelous story of this department and its reports from our alumni, we learned that Joel Selbin (BS’53) was alumni, but some 25 years later I think it is fair to say it was a win- serving as Director of Graduate Studies at LSU and James Pavlik ning effort. During that time span the three (Ph.D.’70) was Head of the chemistry depart- chairs, Ted Perros, Dave Ramaker, and I have ment at Worcester Polytechnic Institute. endeavored to maintain a connection with our The alumni reunion of 1982 was reported a alumni and share the pride we have for all of success, with George W. Irving, (BS’33) re- you and your achievements and in the Depart- calling former days and Richard Reeves ment’s growth and development over this pe- (BS’50) flying in from Rochester. Prof. J. riod. Thus, instead of the usual review of Houston Miller joined the department that activities or focus on changes, I thought it might year and Alexander J. Fatiadi (MS’57) re- be interesting to look through some of those ceived the CSW Hillebrand award. We newsletters and share a few snippets of those learned about the doings of 71 alumni, includ- yearly highlights. My apologies that space will ing Bourdon Scribner (BS’33), Joel Schulman limit mentioning only a few of you who have (BS ’65) at Proctor and Gamble, William written over the years and condensing quite a Worthy (BS’67), David Venesky (BS ’44) at bit of departmental history into only a few snip- NRL, and Joseph Covey (BS ’76) postdocing pets. Several faculty members, circa 1955: Van Evra, Vincent, Naeser & Wrenn at NCI. Among the interesting notes the first newsletter Sad news was reported in 1983 with the pass- reported was that Dr. LeGrand Van Uitert received an Alumni ing of Prof. Emeritus Robert Vincent, a tour-de-force for all of our Achievement Award from the University. At the time he held 50 majors. Following that news was the sudden death from a heart at- patents and had received the ACS Award for Creative Invention, tack of a former chair, Prof. A.D. Britt, as reported in 1984. The among a host of other honors. Among the 21 graduates of 1980 Britt family established a scholarship in his memory, which has be- was Scott Han (BS’80), who went on to receive his doctorate under come a fund to support undergraduate research in the summer. F. Albert Cotton and whose son now attends the University. Sadly, Among those we heard from were Helen Dyer (Ph.D. ’36), Stephen the newsletter also reported the sudden passing of Prof. Reuben Krop (BS ’39), Nancy Jackson (BS’79) working on her doctorate, Wood, who had joined the faculty in 1945 and served as chair from and Alexis Gilliland (MA’56) who had become an award-winning 1976 to his passing. science fiction writer. Harden McConnell (BS’47) shared the Wolf Department of Chemistry Fall 2006 | Page 1 Foundation Prize that year as well. labs and teaching general chemistry, left when her husband trans- ferred to China. Professors Theodore Perros and Akbar Montaser Dean Calvin Linton retired in 1985 and was succeeded by Dean were honored by the College for excellence in teaching and re- Clara Lovett; sponsored research in the department was approach- search respectively. Calvin Richie (BS’60) published the second ing $300K/year. Among the alumni we heard from were: Larry edition of his “Physical Organic Chemistry”, and Mary Lee Tupling Fertel (BS’81), Scott Keeler (BA’78) and William Sager (AA ’38, (BS’74) founded Radiant Life Products in Fort Lauderdale. BS’39, MA ’41), who had just been awarded the Distinguished Ser- vice Award from the University of Illinois at Chicago. By 1986, A new interactive computer-assisted instructional lab was estab- with $5 million allocated, plans were underway for the Corcoran lished in 1991 by Prof. Dave Rowley in conjunction with the Foren- Hall upgrade; sponsored research rose to $400K and Prof. Akbar sic Sciences Department. This facility was the start of the extensive Montaser published his first book. Phyllis Brown (BS’44) reported incorporation of technology in our instructional program and sup- that she was on the faculty at U of Rhode Island and had published port for our teaching mission. Professor William Schmidt (BS’43) two books, among other honors. Lt. Jack Crawford (BS’82) wrote became an emeritus after a about his move into computer resource management with the Air career of 38 years at GW, but Force, and Claire (Pierozak) Cullen had become chair of Pediatric stayed on to teach quant for Medicine at the University of Detroit Dental School. Anthony us a few more years. Winston (BS ’50) was chair at West Virginia University and James Richard Wallis (BS’45, Pavlik (Ph.D.’70) was chair at U Mass. MS’48) was selected for the Distinguished Alumni 1987 was consumed with the Corcoran Hall renovation. By 1988, Achievement Award, while the newsletter reported that all of the teaching labs were redeployed Alan Nadel (BS’71) became to the 4th floor, and the “chaotic state” of affairs was ending. Prof. the 53rd member of the GW Theodore Perros turned the reins of the department over to Prof. Athletic Hall of Fame and David Ramaker in 1988, expressing sincere thanks for the support first member of the crew team to be so honored. Prof. Prof. David and Mrs. Marge White Dave Ramaker was honored by the Washington Academy of Sciences for “outstanding achieve- ments in the Physical Sciences.” Further faculty changes began in 1992, when Prof. David White took half-time retirement and Professors Joseph Levy and Theodore Perros (Ph.D. ’52 ) retired. New faculty included Assoc. Prof. Akos Vertes, and Assistant Professors Rosina Georgiadis and Martin Johnson. The second edition of Prof. Akbar Montaser’s book was published that year, as Prof. Ted Perros took over chairmanship of the Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin. Robert Renovation of Corcoran Hall, room 302, 1987 Bowen (MS’64) retired from the David Taylor Naval Ship Research and Development Center. Nancy Jackson (BS’79) completed her from alumni, who were now contributing to the Department’s E&R doctorate and joined Sandia Labs, while funding and thereby supporting cost-sharing and startup packages Robert Pike (BS’82) joined the faculty at for the faculty. Harden McConnell (BS’47) was selected as the first the College of William and Mary, having GW Distinguished Alumni Scholar, Stephanie Smith (BS’88) was completed his doctorate at Brown. chosen as a Distinguished Student Scholar, graduating with 4.0 GPA, and Richard Wallis (BS’45, MS’48) coauthored a book. Alumni learned in 1993 of a new Insti- tute for Material Science at GW, co-di- While adjusting to his new role as chair of the Department, Prof. rected by Prof. David Ramaker and a Dave Ramaker was selected by Chemical Society of Washington colleague from Engineering. Prof. Joan as the Hillebrand Awardee for 1989. He joined colleague Prof. Ni- Hilderbrandt began the first of many ap- colae Filipescu, who had won the award in 1971. The newsletter Harden McConnell, pointments as Coordinator of the labora- also reported that the University received a bequest from the estate GW Distinguished tories courses for Introductory Chemistry Alumni Scholar of Theresa Karger (BS’17, MS’18). A portion of the bequest be- and Contemporary Science, Prof. Andy came a new equipment fund for cost-sharing and the general chem- Knight joined the faculty as an Assistant istry labs were renamed in her honor. David Goldberg (BS’54) Professor and Prof. Nicolae Filipescu received a Fullbright Schol- reported from Brooklyn College on his continuing output of books. arship for his sabbatical in Romania. Enrollments were soaring at The 1990 Newsletter greatly expanded the contributions from indi- all levels as the first BS degrees in Forensic Chemistry were vidual faculty, noting their scholarship and academic activities over awarded. A highlight of the year was the awarding of an honorary the year. Undergraduate enrollments were beginning to soar, par- degree to Professor Harden McConnell (BS’47) of Stanford.