Associate professor Thomas Hamann was installed as the inaugural James L. Dye Chair in Materials Chemistry.
“We are very fortunate to have someone of Tom’s standing to occupy this important position,” said R. James Kirkpatrick, dean of the College of Natural Science. “Tom is a tremendously creative chemist and is an internationally recognized expert in the area of solar energy conversion. We are thrilled that Tom will serve as the chemistry department’s first Dye Chair and look forward to great things.”
Hamann earned his undergraduate degree in chemistry from the University of Texas, his master’s in chemistry from the University of Massachusetts and his Ph.D. in chemistry from the California Institute of Technology.
Prior to joining MSU in 2008, Hamann spent two years as a postdoctoral fellow at Northwestern University. He is the recipient of numerous honors, including the Royce W. Murray Young Investigator Award, the Camille Dreyfus Teacher-Scholar Award, the Alfred P. Sloan Research Fellowship, an NSF CAREER award and a Department of Energy Early Career Research Program award.
Hamann said that he is flattered and pleased to hold the Dye Chair.
“Receiving the James L. Dye Chair in Materials Chemistry is an incredible honor, especially because of my admiration for James Dye’s science,” he said. “This chair will help me push my research on materials in new directions, which is very exciting.”
The endowed chair was named to recognize Dye, who has been with Michigan State for more than six decades and is one MSU’s most influential and successful researchers and teachers. He is best known for his work with alkali metals, earning him recognition as the “discoverer of alkalides and electrides.”
Dye’s scientific accomplishments led to his election to the National Academy of Sciences and many other awards and accolades throughout his distinguished career. He officially “retired” in 1994, but remains active as an emeritus in advancing his research and mentoring undergraduate students.
“The ability to offer these endowed positions is among the most important benefits that a university can provide to its leadership,” said Robert Maleczka, chemistry department chairperson. “Although MSU offers superb opportunities for individuals to pursue their science, these positions further enable departments to hire and retain top-notch faculty members. Having this endowed chair to offer is one way for us to keep one step ahead of the competition and keep Tom right here at Michigan State.”
The investiture ceremony took place Sept. 5 at MSU’s Wharton Center for the Performing Arts. Paul Hunt, MSU senior associate vice president for research, Kirkpatrick and Maleczka were present for the ceremony.
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