Dewey/Kelly Lectureship
The founders of the M.L. Dewey and C.H. Kelly Award, Marjorie Dewey and Kay Kelly, have enjoyed a life-time involvement with science which began when the two sisters were students at the University of Nebraska in the late 1940s. The pair, both NU graduates, were co-owners of Morris Laboratories in Sacramento, Calif. Marjorie Dewey and Kay Kelly wish to encourage others to pursue a similar commitment to the field of science through the Dewey/Kelly Lectureship series bring leading scientists from around the world to UNL.
Recent Recipients
| 2010-11 | Jacqueline K. Barton |
| 1997-98 | Alan Fersht |
| 1996-97 | Christopher M. Dobson |
| 1995-96 | Kurt Schaffner |
Gustavson Lectureship
The Reuben G. Gustavson Memorial Lectures were established in 1975 in recognition of Dr. Gustavson’s contributions to education and research. The lectures at the University of Nebraska – Lincoln are jointly administered by the Department of Chemistry and the School of Biological Sciences. The lectures deal with Science and Society, with emphasis on questions related to resources and the environment.
Recent Recipients
| 1987 | Frank H. Westheimer |
| 1984 | Edward A. Knapp |
| 1982-83 | Howard A. Schneiderman |
| 1979 | Philip Handler |
| 1978 | W. J. Hubbard |
Hamilton Lectureship in Organic Chemistry
Cliff S. Hamilton joined the faculty of the University of Nebraska in 1923. He served as chairman of chemistry from 1939 to 1955 and retired in 1957. His research interests included the synthesis of organic compounds containing arsenic, antimony, or phosphorus, and the study of heterocyclic compounds utilizable as drugs. Because of his great contributions to chemistry the new chemistry building at the University of Nebraska was dedicated in his honor on October 25, 1970, and we continue to honor him with this organic chemistry lectureship and others like him who strive for excellence in chemistry.
Recent Recipients
| 2019-20 | Gregory C. Fu |
| 2018-19 | Frances H. Arnold |
| 2017-18 | John F. Hartwig |
| 2016-17 | Chaitan Khosla |
| 2015-16 | David MacMillan |
| 2014-15 | Laura Kiessling |
| 2011-12 | Carolyn R. Bertozzi |
Merski Memorial Lectureship
The Jack Merski Memorial Lectureship in Physical Chemistry was established by his friends, colleagues and family in memory of his intense interest in science and his dedication to excellence in its practice. These lectures reflect Dr. Merski's interest and delight in the nature of collective interactions and their many manifestations in the chemistry and physics of condensed matter.
Recent Recipients
| 2016 | F. Fleming Crim |
| 1999 | Ahmed H. Zewail (1999 Nobel prizewinner) |
| 1986 | Peter Wolynes |
Michael L. Gross Lectureship
Professor Michael L. Gross joined the faculty at the University of Nebraska in 1988 after post-doctoral studies with Professor Fred McLaffarty at Purdue University. Grounded in his formal training as an organic chemist, Professor Gross was an early leader in the study of ion-molecule reactions using mass spectrometry. Professor Gross left the University in 1994 but his research interests continue in the development of mass spectrometric methods. We gratefully acknowledge Professor Michael Gross for his support of this lectureship.
Recent Recipients
| 2014 | Alan Marshall |
| 2012 | Vicki Wysocki |
| 2008 | Igor Kaltashov |
| 2008 | John Klassen |
| 1999 | Martin Vestal |
| 1998 | Michael Gross |
Carl Georgi-Walter Militzer Memorial Lectureship
Carl Georgi came to the University of Nebraska in 1935 as an instructor in bacteriology and was promoted to full professor in 1947. In 1936, Dr. Walt Militzer came to the University of Nebraska as an instructor and was promoted to full professor in 1948. Carl's and Walt's friendship dated from their undergraduate student days at Wisconsin. While at the University of Nebraska, they jointly pioneered research on thermophilic bacteria, a fundamental problem in biochemistry. This lectureship honors their collaborative spirit and genuine interest in student learning.
Recent Recipients
| 2013 | Jon Clardy |
| 2003 | Sir John Walker |
| 1993 | Har Gorbind Khorana |
| 1989 | Stanley Choen |
| 1984 | Konrad Bloch |
| 1980 | David Balitmore |
Phi Lambda Upsilon, Rho Chapter Lectureship
Phi Lambda Upsilon was founded as an honorary chemical society in March, 1899 at the University of Illinois. The aims and purposes of the Society were from its inception "the promotion of high scholarship and original investigation in all branches of pure and applied chemistry." Through these lectureships, PLU’s endeavors to serve the field of chemistry.
Recent Recipients
| 2016-2017 | Christina M. White |
| 2015-2016 | Milan Mrsksich |
| 2014-2015 | Chad A. Mirkin |
| 2013-2014 | Daniel Harris |
| 2012-2013 | Mark Meyerhoff |
| 2011-12 | Oliver Fiehn |
Nolan and Gloria Sommer Lectureship
Dr. Nolan B. Sommer retired as a Senior Vice President and member of the Board of Directors of American Cyanamid Company in June, 1978. During his 10 years as a Cyanamid corporate officer and Director, Dr. Sommer was also a member of the Executive Committee. He had a major responsibility for the continued development of the company's operations outside the United States. This lectureship has been designed to honor Sommer’s commitment and contributions to the academic community.
Recent Recipients
| 2017 | Richard W. Roberts |
| 2013 | Barbara Imperiali |
| 2005 | Carolyn Bertozzi |
| 2004 | Michael L. Gross |
| 2003 | Victor J. Hruby |
| 2002 | Ned A. Porter |
| 2001 | Gunda I. Georg |
Stiefvater Memorial Lectureship
The Charles A. Stiefvater lectureship was established by his family, friends, and colleagues in memory of his interests in Inorganic and Organometallic chemistry. He conducted research on multiply bonded arsenic compounds before joining the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Department of Chemistry in 1983. Under the supervision of Prof. Reuben D. Rieke, Chuck's research at UNL involved various aspects of the chemistry of metallic cobalt and nickel.
Recent Recipients
| 2011 | Melanie S. Sanford |
| 2006 | Barry Trost |
| 2001 | Miguel Yus |
| 2000 | John E. Bercaw |
| 1996 | Albert I. Meyers |
Streck Award Lecture
The Streck Award Lecture was established in 2016. Located in La Vista, Nebraska, Streck develops and manufactures products in hematology,immunology, molecular diagnostics, cell stabilization, infectious diseases and urinalysis for clinical and research laboratories. Streck’s passion for innovation, quality and service are what makes the organization a world leader in the development of quality control and diagnostic products helping laboratories ensure accurate and timely results for patients. Streck also offers automated erythrocyte sedimentation rate instruments for testing in EDTA tubes.
Recent Recipients
| 2019 | Benjamin Cravatt |
| 2018 | Tom Muir |
| 2017 | Jim Wells |
| 2016 | Kevin Shokat |
E. Roger Washburn Memorial Lectureship
E. Roger Washburn’s friends and family in memory of his 40 years of service on the faculty of UNL’s Department of Chemistry established the E. Roger Washburn Lectureship. It is appropriate that these lectures, by their topics, reflect Professor Washburn's interest and curiosity about the nature of molecular interactions and the many manifestations of behavior, which give each molecule its own chemical personality.
Recent Recipients
| 2016 | Richard J. Saykally |
| 2015 | Gábor Somorjai |
| 2010 | Bruce J. Berne |
| 2007 | Charles M. Lieber |
| 2005 | Donald G. Truhlar |
| 1999 | David Chandler |
| 1995 | Hans W. Spiess |