Dow Chemical gives Penn State record $2 million endowed gift

Penn State Campus Photography Larry Duda

University Park, Pa. -- The Dow Chemical Co. has committed $2 million to endow a fund to benefit Penn State's department of chemical engineering -- the largest endowed gift made by a corporation in the University's history.

The Dow Chemical Co. and Larry Duda Excellence in Chemical Engineering Fund recognizes Penn State Professor Larry Duda for his numerous achievements in chemical engineering and Dow's strong relationship with the University. The fund will support research and instructional programs in the department through a variety of activities, such as the purchase of lab equipment, graduate student stipends, seed funding for new research initiatives and attracting and retaining faculty. In addition, Dow has designated Penn State a key recruiting university.

"The relationship between Penn State and Dow spans more than four decades, and we are deeply grateful for Dow's generosity," said Penn State President Graham B. Spanier. "It is a testament to the high quality of our programs when major companies like Dow include Penn State in the limited pool from which they recruit. We are also pleased that they have chosen to honor Larry Duda, one of our most distinguished professors, who began his career with Dow."

Duda joined Dow in 1963. He came to Penn State in 1971, and served as head of the Department of Chemical Engineering from 1983 through 2000. He also is co-director of Penn State's Center for the Study of Polymer-Solvent Systems. Duda has received numerous national awards for his technical publications and research, and for his contributions to engineering education. He is a Fellow of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers, and in 1998 he was inducted into the National Academy of Engineering, one of the highest professional distinctions that can be accorded an engineer. Duda has continued to work with Dow as a consultant, and several of his former students at Penn State are now employed by Dow.

"Larry's approach to chemical engineering as a problem-solver, innovator and collaborator has been a model for us all to follow and has had a profound impact on the success of his students-and the industry in general," said Gary Veurink, corporate vice president of manufacturing and engineering at Dow. "This financial contribution recognizes the relationship we've developed over the years, and also expresses the confidence we have in a strong future together with Penn State."

Penn State receives annual grants from Dow in support of engineering student groups and the Department of Chemical Engineering. Previous philanthropy to Penn State also includes a faculty chair in chemical engineering, support for an interview room in the MBNA Career Services Center, and research projects in agricultural sciences, chemistry, chemical engineering, earth and mineral sciences, and materials research. Dow also is a member of the Institute for the Study of Business Markets in the Smeal College of Business. The company's total giving to the University exceeds $5.5 million.

Dow is a diversified chemical company that harnesses the power of science and technology to improve daily living. The company offers a broad range of innovative products and services to customers in more than 175 countries, helping them to provide everything from fresh water, food and pharmaceuticals to paints, packaging and personal-care products. Built on a commitment to its principles of sustainability, Dow has annual sales of $46 billion and employs 42,000 people worldwide. More information about Dow can be found at http://www.dow.com online.

Editor's note: References to "Dow" or the "company" mean The Dow Chemical Co. and its consolidated subsidiaries unless otherwise expressly noted.