Chemical Engineering Department Awards Convocation

The Annual Chemical Engineering Department Awards Convocation was held in the Rozsa Center on April 11, 2013. This is an opportunity to thank the faculty, staff and students for their hard work and dedication. The department recognized the support of Mrs. Karen Hubbard, Kimberly-Clark, Dow Chemical, Dow Corning and UOP for their donations and services, which made this year’s Awards Convocation possible.


The guest speaker was Mr. James Mack. A native of Mackinaw City, Michigan, Mr. Mack received his BS degree in Chemical Engineering from Michigan Tech in 1959. Upon graduation, he joined Monsanto as a Project Engineer. While with Monsanto he received his MBA from Western New England College.

He spent almost twenty years with Sherwin-Williams where he was Product Manager, Organic Chemicals; Manager, New Business Development, Chemicals Division; and General Marketing Manager, Chemicals Division. He became President of Sherwin-Williams Chemicals in 1978. In 1982, Mr. Mack joined Oakite Products, Inc. as Executive Vice President and member of the doard of directors. In 1984, he joined Olin Corp. as Vice President and General Manager of their worldwide urethanes and specialty chemicals business. In 1990, he joined Cambrex as President and Chief Operating Officer, and in 1995 assumed his current position as President, Chief Executive Officer, and member of the board of Cambrex. Mr. Mack is past Chair of the Synthetic Organic Chemicals Manufacturers Association (SOCMA).

In October 2001, British American Business, Inc. gave him the Transatlantic Entrepreneur Award. In June 2002, Ernest and Young recognized him with the Entrepreneur of the Year Award for New Jersey.

Over the years, Mr. and Mrs. Mack have been tireless supporters of Michigan Tech. Within the Chemical Engineering Department, they have endowed the James and Lorna Mack Chair in Bioengineering to promote biotechnology research and education. Mr. Mack is also a trustee of the Michigan Tech Fund and a member of the Capital Campaign Committee, the Presidents Club, and the National Advisory Board.

Link to video of speech by Mr. James Mack


Awards were presented for Prevent Accidents With Safety (PAWS) Awards by Mr. David Caspary, Lab Facilities Manager: Jeff Graves, Tyler Gygi, Paige Kleinow, Tim Rossetto, Patrick Somers, Kelly-Anne Zayan, and Jeff Caspary


Dow Chemical Marriott W. Bredekamp Award was presented by Mr. David Caspary, Lab Facilities Manager: William Paddock, Daniel Spencer, Amanda Taylor, and Edward Duda


Kimberly-Clark Communication Award, by Dr. M. Sean Clancey, Senior Lecturer: Robert Parker


Kimberly-Clark Professional Ethics Award, Dr. M. Sean Clancey, Senior Lecturer: Tim Rossetto


UOP Davis W. Hubbard Plant Design Team Award, Dr. Tony Rogers, Associate Professor: Scott Kempainen, Kevin Osentoski, and Hans Sandholm

Student Reports were presented by AIChE Chapter President – Ms. Elizabeth Skultety; Consumer Product Manufacturing (CPM) President – Mr. Robert Parker; Alternative Fuels Group (AFG) President – Mr. Cory Schafer

Faculty Awards were presented by Ms. Elizabeth Skultety, AIChE President presented the Teacher of the Year Award to Dr. Tim Eisele, Dr. Caryn Heldt received the “Research Mentor of the Year” award, and the Graduate Teaching Assistant of the Year was awarded to Wilbel Brewer.

Teacher of the Year Award to Dr. Tim Eisele

Dr. Caryn Heldt received the “Research Mentor of the Year” award.


Wil Brewer received the “Outstanding TA of the Year” Award.

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