Dr. Richard E. Emmert, BS - 1951
Dr. Richard E. Emmert is a chemical engineer and retired businessman whose expertise in chemical reaction technology and mass transfer has been recognized by many career honors. In 1988, Dr. Emmert was named executive director of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers, overseeing the staff and operations of the 52,000 member organization. He is a native of Iowa City, and has always given of his time and talent for the University of Iowa and the College of Engineering. After receiving his Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering with highest distinction at the UI in 1951, Dr. Emmert went on to earn his master's and doctorate degrees in chemical engineering from the University of Delaware. He has been honored with both schools' Distinguished Alumni Awards and with election to the National Academy of Engineering, the highest professional honor that the engineering profession can bestow upon an individual.
Most of Dr. Emmert's professional career has been spent with the Du Pont company in Wilmington, Delaware, where he was initially employed as a research engineer in 1954. During his 33 years of service there, he held numerous positions in many departments, including planning superintendent, manufacturing superintendent, manager of engineering technology and materials research, director of the Research and Development Division, and general manager of the textile division. He was named vice president for corporate plans in 1980, vice president of photo systems and electronic products in 1983, and vice president of electronics in 1986. Since retiring from a long and challenging career with Du Pont in 1987, he accepted the executive director position of the AIChE in 1988 and has been active in the National Academy of Engineering's committees on commercialization and international competitiveness -- groups advising government agencies on topics such as patent systems, tax laws' effects on development, and international trade policy.
Dr. Emmert has served as a director of the Medical Center of Delaware, the Delaware Foundation for Physical Education, the Stanton, Delaware School Board, and the University of Delaware Research Foundation. He was also a member of the Board of Directors for the UI Alumni Association and has chaired advisory boards for the Department of Chemcial Engineering at the University of California, Berkeley and the University of Delaware as well as our own College of Engineering Advisory Board, of which he is still a part. His involvement in professional organizations include Sigma Xi, Tau Beta Pi, Phi Lambda Upsilon, Phi Eta Sigma, and the American Chemical Society.