Meet Our Major Supporters

Contributions to the Department of Chemistry provide critical support by way of graduate fellowships and important seeding for new programs.  To learn how you can make a difference with a major gift, please contact our Development Officer.  An endowed fund at MIT can be established with an entry level gift of $100,000.

A photo of Charles and Kim Wade

Charles Wade, PhD ’65 (V) and Kim Wade Chemistry Fund

The endowed Charles (1965) and Kim Wade Chemistry Fund was established by the Wades in memory of Prof. John S. Waugh.

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“Kim and I met at MIT and have long wished to recognize its impact on our careers.  It seemed appropriate to give a donation to support undergraduate and graduate research.  We’re delighted to give back to the Institute.”

Dan Harris explains the periodic table to his toddler grandson.

Daniel Harris, ’68 (V)

Paying tribute to a fine teacher with the establishment of the endowed Daniel S. Kemp Fellowship Fund.

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In 2007 Daniel Harris, ’68 (Course V) and his wife, Sally Harris, established an endowed graduate fellowship in honor of Professor Daniel S. Kemp.

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Edward Lanpher ’49 (V)

“Despite nearly losing my life twice in my [own] lab, I made a very good living from chemistry.” 

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“Despite nearly losing my life twice in my [own] lab, I made a very good living from chemistry, and I credit my interesting career to MIT. As such, I have arranged a planned gift to the department to use for graduate fellowships. I can’t think of a better way to give back.”

Gregory C. Fu, ’85 (V)

An endowed fund that supports graduate students with a preference for those studying organic chemistry.

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“My UROP experience in the Sharpless lab, working with Dr. Joel M. Hawkins, was the highlight of my undergraduate experience at MIT,” says Dr. Fu.  “Barry was an inspiration to generations of MIT undergraduates, as a UROP mentor and as a teacher in the classroom.”

Jan Krouwer

Jan S. Krouwer, PhD ’73 (V) and Ruby Krouwer

The Jan S. (1973) and Ruby S. Krouwer endowed fund supports graduate students in any area of chemistry.

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“I have always been extremely impressed with the caliber of professors carrying out teaching and research in the Department of Chemistry and this is my way of giving back to the department and enabling other students to have the superior training that I did. Without a doubt, having a MIT PhD was instrumental to my successful career. I know education is expensive and I am pleased to assist.”

Jeffrey I. Steinfeld, ’62 (V)

An endowed fund to support graduate students carrying out research related to environment and sustainability issues.

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“My own generation, who must bear some of the responsibility for our present situation, has an obligation to ‘pay forward’ in order to make the vision of sustainable development a reality.”

Joseph Horton in his kitchen.

Joseph A. Horton, ’69 (V)

Thinking ahead with Chemistry in mind.

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Joe recognizes the need for increased graduate student fellowship funding. As a result, he decided in 2007 to establish two Charitable Remainder Trusts to endow two graduate fellowships in Organic Chemistry.

Judith Selwyn, PhD ’71 (V) and Lee Selwyn, PhD ’69, (XV)

Judith Selwyn, PhD ’71 (V) and Lee Selwyn, PhD ’69, (XV)

Judy and Lee Selwyn provide major support to Chemistry’s critical needs.

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Dr. Judith E. Selwyn, MIT PhD ’71 (V) and her husband, Dr. Lee L. Selwyn, MIT PhD ’69 (XV), as Trustees of the Lee L. and Judith E. Selwyn Foundation, have donated $630,000 to support chemistry’s critical needs.

A photo of Lan Wong and Deborah Chung.

Lan Wong and Deborah Chung

Lan and Deborah’s endowment supports graduate students in honor of their MIT mentors and Lan’s mother.

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Lan and Deborah met at MIT while each pursued their PhDs, Lan in Chemistry, and Deborah in Materials Science. Their endowment will provide graduate student support in honor of their mentors – Lan’s mother, who worked tirelessly to encourage her four children to focus on academics, as well as late Professors Klaus Biemann and Mildred Dresselhaus.

Headshot of Louise Foley

Louise H. Foley, PhD ’70 (V)

A major supporter of the Campaign to revitalize instrumentation in the Department of Chemistry Instrumentation Facility.

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“MIT, the Chemistry Department, and George Büchi were very good to me,” she says, adding,  “they provided me access to a career that I loved.  I am happy to, in some way, repay that gift.”

Paul Maxwell Cook MIT

Paul Maxwell Cook, ’47

Throughout his remarkable career, Paul Cook has been a loyal supporter of the Chemistry Department.

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The Paul and Marcia Cook Fund for Innovation is used for multiple purposes, such as providing faculty innovation grants for research, start-ups for new faculty, or education needs or service in the department.

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Ping S. Chu, PhD ’80 (V)

In honor of his parents, and his research advisor, Ping Chu established two endowed funds to support graduate students.

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“MIT has remained a big part of my life since I enrolled as a graduate student in 1976, and graduated with a PhD in 1980. I credit part of my success professionally and personally to the Institute, so giving back came naturally to me when I had a chance.”

An older man in a red blazer smiles.

Robert Luise PhD ’70 (V)

Luise’s endowed fund supports graduate students in memory of Professor Walter H. Stockmayer ’35, PhD ’40.

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Robert Luise established this endowed fund to support graduate student research in memory of, and in gratitude for, his friend and mentor, pioneering polymer scientist Professor Walter H. “Stocky” Stockmayer (SB’35, PhD ’40).

Scott and Patty Rocklage

Scott Rocklage, PhD ’82 (V) and Patty Rocklage

A major expendable gift to assist with the renovation of nanochemistry and nanotechnology lab space.

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“MIT gave me the foundation for my professional life and career and with gratitude toward the Chemistry Department my wife and I offer this gift.”  Scott Rocklage, PhD ’82.

Professor Steve Buchwald smiles in his office.

Stephen L. Buchwald and Susan G. Haber

An endowed family fund that supports graduate students in the area of organic chemistry.

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During his 60th Birthday Symposium in 2015, Stephen L. Buchwald, the Camille Dreyfus Professor of Chemistry, and his wife Dr. Susan Haber, announced the establishment of the Buchwald-Haber Family Fund, to support graduate students with a preference for those studying organic chemistry.

T. Y. Shen

T.Y. Shen

The endowed Amy Lin Shen Summer Fellowship fund supports women graduates studying physical chemistry.

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Chemistry Postdoc T.Y. Shen honors his wife Amy with an endowed summer graduate fellowship in her name.