Chemistry Department Lectureships

Kolb Endowed Lectureship

The Doris and Kenneth Kolb Chemistry Lecture has been established to bring to Bradley University notable chemists who have distinguished themselves as outstanding members of the scientific community.

Doris and Kenneth Kolb are both graduates of the University of Louisville, with Ph.D. degrees in organic chemistry from the Ohio State University. At Standard Oil (Indiana), now BP, Ken worked in the New Chemicals Division and Doris in Information Research. In Corning, New York, Ken headed a team at Corning Inc. that investigated the bonding of glass to plastics and studied various composite materials. It was also in Corning that they both formally began their careers in chemical education. In a carriage house at the fledgling Corning Community College, Doris initiated the general chemistry program and Ken taught organic chemistry. In 1965, with their three sons, they came to Peoria, Illinois. Ken was a professor at Bradley University, serving for two decades as Chair of the Chemistry Department. In 1991 Bradley recognized his accomplishments with the Samuel Rothberg Award for Professional Excellence. In 1967, Doris became one of the original faculty at Illinois Central College. She received their very first award for teaching excellence as well as several national awards. Since 1985, Doris has been an Adjunct Professor of Chemistry at Bradley.

Lawrence Lecture

The Lawrence Lectureship was established in 1989 by the University to honor Major Lawrence. This Lectureship is funded, on an annual basis, by the Office of the Provost. A goal of the Department and the University is to secure funding to endow this memorial to Major Lawrence.

The Lawrence Visiting Lectureship brings to the Bradley campus visiting scholars who have a special affinity for members of minority groups and can serve as educational role models for all students. Typically, nominees are African-Americans who exhibit noteworthy personal qualities and have demonstrated professional success. In addition, when appropriate, we have the lecturers stay on campus for several days in order to interact with students and the community.

Mounts Endowed Lectureship

The research of Timothy L. Mounts (BS, Bradley, '59; MS, Bradley '68) has made significant contributions to the advancement of agricultural technology and considerable national and international impact on the food industry, especially the edible oilseed sector. Mr. Mounts is honored by the Lectureship for his devotion to country in military and civilian service, his dedication to the furtherance of education, and his belief in civic duty.

At the time of his passing, Mr. Mounts was Research Leader of the Food Quality and Safety Research Unit at the National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research in Peoria. He received numerous national and international awards and honors including the 1985 La Medaille Chevreul from L'Association Francaise pour l'Etude des Corps Gras, the 1991 Outstanding Scientist of the Year for the Agricultural Research Service, the Baldwin Distinguished Service Award from the American Oil Chemists' Society and the Distinguished Alumnus Award from the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at Bradley.