The Cover... - C&EN Global Enterprise (ACS Publications)

With these words a former Herty medalist paid tribute to the reputation and influence of the seventeenth recipient of the Herty Medal in developing a ...
5 downloads 0 Views 104KB Size
Southeast. This is n o t too far from a normal number of d e p a r t m e n t s in p r o ­ portion to population, he indicated. Cautioning against self satisfaction, however, t h e m e d a l i s t said t h a t the Southeast does n o t train as m a n y chem­ ists as it should. I n proportion to its population, approximately half the n u m ­ ber of bachelor s t u d e n t s are being p r o ­ duced as should b e a n d only slightly more than one fourth t h e proper proportion of doctorates. But even here, he pointed out, there is a gleam of real h o p e ; of the 11 institutions in t h e Southeast grant­ ing doctorates in chemistry in 1948, four of these were n o t on the list in 1942. As an index of research output, Dr. Quayle compared t h e n u m b e r of contri­ butions a n d pages from the Southeast in

Thv Cover

the Journal oj the American Chemical Society. I n this tabulation, J o h n s H o p ­ kins was o m i t t e d because its pre-eminent position would have distorted the picture. I n 1924 there were nine papers in the Journal from six southeastern institu­ tions. I n 1933, when the H e r t y Medal was first awarded, there were 44 contri­ butions from 14 institutions; the number of states not represented had fallen from .seven to three. In 1948 the total was 124 papers with 269 pages, almost equivalent to a whole issue of the Journal. ThirtyIhree laboratories were represented, 22 academic and 11 governmental or indus­ trial. Five or more papers were produced in each of seven universities. F r o m this a r r a y of evidence, the medalist concluded that the South can

. ·,

Osborne Robinson Quayle Noο

ONE in t h e South has done more to inspire promising students in chem­ istry t o go b e y o n d t h e ordinary effort, scholastically, a n d t o complete post­ g r a d u a t e studies t h a n Osborne R. Quayle. A s t e a d y stream of Ph.D.'s from t h e nation's leading universities, having their roots in E m o r y University, testifies to t h e constructive influence of this man." W i t h these words a former H e r t y medalist paid t r i b u t e to t h e r e p u t a t i o n and influence of the seventeenth recipient of t h e H e r t y Medal in developing a sound program of graduate training at E m o r y Uni­ versity, Atlanta, Ga. During his 25 years at E m o r y , Dr. Quayle has directed the master's pro­ gram of over 100 students. Of these, 45 have subsequently obtained the Ph.D. from other institutions. His un­ ceasing efforts for and active partici­ pation in g r a d u a t e development cul­ m i n a t e d in chemistry's being the first d e p a r t m e n t a t E m o r y authorized to award t h e P h . D . degree. Appropri­ ately, t h e first such degree a t E m o r y was given in J u n e of last year t o a s t u d e n t working under Dr. Quayle. Early Life Osborne Quayle was reared in an at­ mosphere strongly flavored with chem­ istry a n d pedagogy. His m o t h e r w a s a school teacher before her marriage, and his father, t h e late William Osborne Quayle, was on t h e faculty of Case School of Applied Science in Cleveland, Ohio, a t the t i m e of young Osborne's birth o n Dec. 15, 1898. Later, his father went with t h e Midland Chemi­ cal Co. in Michigan, and for t h e last 12

VOLUME

take considerable satisfaction in its ab­ solute position and needs no longer be ashamed of or apologize for its place a m o n g t h e other regions. Preceding t h e presentation ceremonies, a n afternoon tea was held at Westover P l a n t a t i o n , home of L. C. Lindsley, re­ tiring head of the chemistry department a t G S C W , who was also honored at the evening meeting. T h e tea was fol­ lowed b y dinner on the college lawn. Four medalists of previous years were introduced a t the evening meeting: J . S. Guy of E m o r y , J. L. Howe of Wash­ ington and Lee, W. H . M a c l n t i r e of the University of Tennessee, a n d Ε . Ε. Heid of J o h n s Hopkins. Following the ad­ dress a dance was held o n t h e tennis courts.

2 7,

NO.

22

years of his life was with t h e Du P o n t Co. in Wilmington. Receiving his bachelor's degree from Swarthmore, D r . Quayle w e n t to H a r ­ vard for his master's where he studied under James B . Conant. T o complete his graduate studies, he went to Johns Hopkins to work with E. E m m e t t Reid, later to become a H e r t y medalist him­ self. While still in graduate school Dr. Quayle married Zaidee Miller, and their first daughter. Nancy, was born while he was a t J o h n s Hopkins. This chemical tradition has persisted, since Nancy, now Mrs. Ben Smith, Jr., finds herself mothering two sons while her husband is working toward his P h . D . in chemistry at t h e University of Vir­ ginia. F u r t h e r , t h e second daughter, Louise, now Mrs. William Kling, was graduated in chemistry from Vanderbilt University. Quaylc's Inspiration Fresh from J o h n s Hopkins, Dr. Quayle went to E m o r y in 1924 as as­ sistant professor. Seven years later he became full professor. T h r o u g h o u t his years at E m o r y , D r . Quayle has had a strong influence on students. H e has been active in student affairs, serving on the Athletic Council, t h e Interfraternity Council, and the Student Activi­ ties council as faculty advisor. He has given countless hours of his time t o students. His office has been open t o any s t u d e n t at any hour for per­ sonal consultation a n d advice. H e has had the satisfaction of seeing several " p r o b l e m " boys earn Ph.D.'s in chem­ istry and >{ achieve success in their chosen

MAY

3 0,

19 4 9

field. T h e s e boys, say his colleagues, would h a v e had difficulty in obtaining even a bachelor's degree without D r . Quayle's patience and influence. M o s t of Dr. Quayle's research has been o n the parachor, on which he has published a number of papers. He is a t present conducting a research pro­ gram o n t h e surface tension and molec­ ular v o l u m e of a number of pure h y ­ drocarbons in cooperation with t h e Office of N a v a l Research, t h e Ameri­ can P e t r o l e u m Institute, a n d t h e N a ­ tional Bureau of Standards. Dr. Q u a y l e has been active in a n u m ­ ber of scientific and scholarly socie­ ties. H e is a past councilor and past chairman of t h e Georgia Section of t h e AMERICAN

CHEMICAL

SOCIETY,

past

president of t h e Georgia Academy of Sciences, a charter m e m b e r a n d past president of t h e E m o r y chapter of t h e Society of t h e Sigma X i , chairman of t h e E m o r y University Research Com­ mittee, and a member of t h e New York A c a d e m y of Sciences, the Ameri­ can Association for the Advancement of Science, and Phi Beta K a p p a . Hobbies His chief recreational interests are bridge and automobile driving- H i s skill i n t h e latter is legendary a t E m o r y . I t is generally conceded that, had he failed as a chemist, X)r. Quayle would surely h a v e succeeded as a taxi driver. According t o Dr. Quayle, he went t o E m o r y to visit the South a n d t o gain a few y e a r s ' teaching experience. This projected s h o r t stay is still i n progress. Since h e h a s reportedly refused several h a n d s o m e offers during h i s 25-year visit, h e m u s t feel the need of still more experience. Or perhaps h e has decided to s t a y in Georgia after all.

t??7