M E SSAG E F R0 M T H E In my opinion, the department’s most important
N Ew C HAI RMAN task for the next few years will be filling our open
faculty lines. One ofthese is a result ofour department’s
Actually it would be havingimpressed the Chancellorwith our “Innovation
. . , more accurate to describe and Excellence” proposal to build on existing strengths
1' 3' ' me asa“used” rather than in the area of “materials research”. This is an expan-
, . 1 a “new” Chairman, bUt sion position to be filled by an individual with an
$7; “Message from the Used interest in the synthesis of materials having unusual
igfif”; Chairman” COUId easily electrical properties (for example, superconductors).
// be misinterpreted. Four We have interviewed several candidates so far this year
2%”; ’ 2% years ofrelativeinsulation and should be making an offer soon. The other two
(fie/3’»! 7w??? from the wear and tear of ositions are those to be vacated b the retirement of
NW?“ yer/{3% - - p . y .
a??? g leadershlp, so admirably Professors Walter T. Sm1th and Kurt N1edenzu. Be-
,l/fg endured by Professor cause of the current budget crunch, we may have to
his??? Watt, have apparently wait a while to fill them.
Bob Gulhrie produced some softening The next couple ofyears are going to be a bit rough
of my brain as evidenced for the University. The legislature has cut our budget
by the fact that I have signed on for a second term. The for the current year and we will carry over this reduced
Dean and I have agreed that this should last only until base into next year. On the plus side, because of last
such time as one ofour “newer models” is ready to take year’s tax increase, the Commonwealth is in a bit
over. I am hoping that this will mean a term ofonly one stronger financial condition than many states, includ-
or two years for me. ing some ofour usually wealthier neighbors. However,
Our departing chairman, Dave Watt, has accepted state budget problems are still quite serious. So far
thejob ofVice Chancellor for Research for the Lexing— there has been no talk of layoffs. Faculty salaries have
ton Campus. Although we hate to lose our leader, we been creeping up on those offered by our benchmark
will undoubtedly benefit indirectly as Dave provides institutions, so thateven if raises are smallfor nextyear,
the entire Lexington Campus with the same in5pircd we should be able to weather the storm. The Behrman
leadership he has given to us. As it has turned out, the endowment and its resulting Tuttle Fellowships con-
University has also hired a chemist, Professor Linda]. tinue to make us reasonably competitive in the battle
(Lee) Magid, formerly 0f the University Of Tennessee, to attract good graduate students and there seem to be
as Vice President for Research and she will formally more of them available because of the troubled
become a member of our department. With so many economy. Hopefully when the economy picks up, we
chemists in positions ofinfluence, how can we lose? will be positioned to resume our growth.
Happily,]im O’Reilly and Bob Kiser have agreed to
remain in their present offices, jim as Director of
Graduate Studies and Associate Chair and Bob as WATT: G R EAT T EAC H E R1
Director of General Chemistry. As a result ofjim's V I C E C H A N C E L LO R
magnificentjob of recruiting last year, we welcomed . .
about 20 new graduate students to the department in Although Dave Watt gave up one htle’. Chair man 0f '
the fall. This, to the best of my recollection is an all-time the Department Of Chemlstry, he has gained two new
record for our department. General Chemistry has ones. Ih Aphl he was named Great Teacher by the UK
. also undergone a number of changes. Under Bob’s AlummAssoclatlon and m May he was appomted to'the
firm but creative leadership General Chemistry is start— pOSthh DEVICE: Chancellor for Research on the Lexmg—
ing to become more tolerable for students (some even ton Campus by the UnlverSIty Board Of Trustees.
enjoyit) , despite the factthatitis not getting any easier. Dave was one Of five professors selected for the
Bob has hired a new laboratory supervisor to replace teaching awardsaeach ofwhlch includes a prize of$750
the retiring Charlie Griffith (not that Charlie - a true from the Ahhhm Assoc1ation; there were two 561%th
original - could ever be replaced). The new supervisor, from the Lex1ngton campus and three from the commu-
Dr. Penny O’Connor, took over this fall and has im- n1ty college system. It is the first and oldest award on
pressed us all with her enthusiasm and dedication. campus to recognize the missmn Of undergraduate
educat1on. The awardees are selected through student
,