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a . .. E;4;AlumniNewsletterPubIIshed by Department of Chemistry University of Kentucky
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int-v , ‘ ' ' “ _. - ‘7" . -* ' Fall 1983
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New Chalrman — Robert D. Guthrle
We are Pleased that Professor Robert D. 7'" w sly; Lye/”w ‘ ions. His research has been SUPPOIted by
Guthrie has accepted a four-year term as ,t/fgg/ f” several grants from the National Science
Chairman of the Department, effective July ‘5.” " t ~ Foundation. He has been a member of the
l, 1983. Bob received his bachelor’s degree , , r , , IUPAC Commission on Nomenclature in
from Oberlin College in 1958, and PhD 2/» «,1; Z / PhysicalOrganic Chemistry.
from the University of Rochester in 1962. / , , 3% '
After a post-doctoral appointment at the . - 3‘ 1 WW _ ‘
University of California at Los Angeles ' ' twig“ ' ,1: ,
1963-64, he served as a lecturer there 1964- Q7. a E in
z , «V» v . ,
65. In 1965 he joined our faculty as an assis— ; . i ‘ ”
tant professor and rose through the ranks to 14}? Vt / Vi 3,:“i *
fullprofessorshipin1977. , , r, ,y ”Lame/3% '
His research interests are in the analysis of f, l Wei/4M" W WM
the m1croenv1ronment of carbanions usmg mug/f! I, , W «M,
electron transfer reactions and stereochem- .. i i , lama!” V
ical methods. He has recently initiated a i, 1% l L 7d; ”4' _ ‘”
study of the cleavage reactions of radical Dr. Robert D. Guthrie
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A Message from the New Chairman
It seems appropriate that I include a few Bill continues to contribute in an advisory searchers who teach are better able to see
comments about our recent history and our role and has agreed to serve as Coordinator the empty spots in the framework of existing
‘ plans for the future. As some of you may of Alumni Affairs. Joe Wilson remains the theory. Sometimes a freshman’s naive
know we’ve been through a tumultuous year Director of Graduate Studies where his con- ‘Why?’ or a sophomore's half-informed
of trying to select a new chairperson. Both scientiousnessisa model for us all. All mem- ‘What if?’ can lead down the path toward
.. internal and external candidates were con- bers of the faculty and staff have promised the clarification of old concepts and the de-
sidered. We were forced to consider our me their full support. Administrative offi- velopment of new theories. For the next few
goals, our resources and our priorities in cers up to and including the Chancellor years preservation of an atmosphere in
I considerably greater detail than we might have indicated a willingness to help, within which teaching and research can nurture
have liked. Although the experience was the limits of their resources. The next move each other is notgoing to be easy
somewhat painful I believe we now look at is up to us! Our biggest single problem will be estab-
the Department and our various roles in its What should we do? At the present time lishing an adequate supply of capable grad-
future operation with greater realism. all twenty of our faculty members actively uate students. Graduate students are the
Those of you who know me will under participate in both research and teaching. I lifeblood of our apprenticeship system of
stand that I did not campaign for the chair- believe it is crucial that each of us maintains chemical education. When the level of grad-
manship. Nevertheless, now that the dust this dual involvement. Professors who labor uate enrollment drops too low, research
has settled, it appears that I am ‘it'. It will in the search for new knowledge regard projects start to wither and die. Loss of rev-
not be easy for me to meet the high standard knowledge as a living thing. Their lectures enue, faculty embitterment, professional
set by Bill Wagner and by Joe Wilson but I manifest a vitality similar to that of a proud stagnation and numerous other symptoms
plan to give my best effort. It will help that parent describing a child. Conversely, re- too unpleasant to mention can occur. We
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