These annual events honor former faculty members who played important roles in the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at Case Western Reserve University.

Adler Banquet and Lecture

Robert Adler joined the university faculty in 1959 as an assistant professor of chemical engineering in the combined department of chemistry and chemical engineering. In 1963, the chemical engineering department was joined with the new school of engineering, and Adler, still an untenured assistant professor, became chair of the chemical engineering faculty and its three other members. Adler was one of the nation's leading experts in advanced separations and mixing, and was awarded the status of Fellow of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers in 1989. While at Case Western Reserve, Adler founded the Helipump Corporation, a research and development company that gained many patents. Adler was not only an inspiration and a role model to his students, but also a mentor to many of his colleagues. Adler had great expectations, and set only the highest standards for himself, for the faculty, and for his students—his adherence to these standards motivated those around him to follow his example.

Bikerman Lecture

Jacob Bikerman was born in Odessa, Russia, and did his graduate work in chemistry at the University of St. Petersburgh. He fled to Germany, where he was a research associate at the Kaiser Wilhelm Institute, in 1922. In 1936, he emigrated to Great Britain and in 1945, he came to the United States. He held positions at MIT, Merck and Yardney Labs before coming to Cleveland to join Horizons, Inc., in 1965. In that year, he received the ASTM Adhesion Award. Bikerman joined our department in 1974 as an adjunct professor, a position he held until his death in 1978. Bikerman did pioneering research in surface chemistry, foams and theories of adhesion. His first paper was published in 1923 and his last 55 years later in 1978—few workers have remained as creative and energetic over such a long time.

Morrison Lecture

Professor Philip Morrison Jr. (BS - Princeton, 1982; PhD – Berkeley, 1987) joined the Department of Chemical Engineering at Case Western Reserve in 1993. In the short nine years that Phil was with us prior to his untimely death in 2002, he left the department and his colleagues an important legacy and fond memories. Phil was an internationally recognized expert in synthesizing advanced materials and developing spectroscopic techniques for probing reactions and surfaces. He was also a remarkable and innovative teacher who was admired and loved by students who viewed him as their friend and colleague. Phil was a very collegial faculty member: personable, a great friend, always willing to help, with utmost dedication to his students, his colleagues and his family. We miss him very much and remember his legacy.