Hackerman, Former President Of Two Universities And Former Virginia Tech Professor, To Speak On Science In Society

Norman Hackerman, a former Virginia Tech chemistry faculty member who went on to serve as president of both the University of Texas at Austin and Rice University, will speak on Science and Society at Virginia Tech Tuesday, March 18, at 11 a.m. in the conference room of Fralin Hall.

Hackerman served for 12 years as a member of the National Science Board (NSB) and six years as its president. The NSB funds research through the National Science Foundation. He also served as president of the Electrochemical Society.

Hackerman was appointed professor of chemistry at Virginia Tech in 1941. He joined the staff of UT-Austin in 1945 doing research into the chemistry and physics of surfaces. He served UT-Austin at various times as department chair, director of a research laboratory, dean, vice president and provost, and vice-chancellor of Academic Affairs, and then president from 1967 until 1970. At that time, he went to Rice University as president. He is now president emeritus and distinguished professor of chemistry emeritus of Rice.

Hackerman's talk is free and open to the public at no charge. For information, call (540)231-5966.