Congratulations to Prof. Wendy Kelly, who has received the Blanchard Fellowship for 2011. Wendy has made outstanding contributions to the School of Chemistry and Biochemistry.

The Professorship lasts for two years at approximately $35,000 per year. The award is given to an assistant professor who is midway toward tenure. The major criterion for success will be maximum impact on the career of the awardee.

Elwood P. Blanchard Jr., who earned a chemistry degree at Tech in 1953 and a master’s in chemistry in 1954, retired as vice chairman of the board of du Pont, headquartered in Wilmington, Del. He retains his position as chairman of Du Pont Canada, and will remain on Du Pont’s board of directors. Blanchard joined the company in 1959 as a staff member in the Central Research and development Department. In 1966, he was appointed regional manager in the film department at Du Pont’s facility in Buffalo, N.Y. He returned to Wilmington in 1968 and held a series of positions in research and development, marketing, and manufacturing, becoming director of manufacture in 1974.

He was appointed director of the Dyes and Chemicals Division in 1975, and was named general manager of the Chemicals and Pigments Department in 1978. In early 1983, he was named group vice president of chemicals and pigments. Blanchard was elected a director, executive vice president and a member of Executive Committee in late 1987. The following year, he was elected vice chairman of the board, and became a member of the newly established Office of the chairman in 1990. He was named chairman of Du Pont Canada in 1991. In addition to his Tech degrees, Blanchard earned a PhD from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He serves on the Georgia Tech Advisory Board and is a trustee of the Academy of Natural Sciences in Philadelphia. He is also a director of Delmarva Power & Light and the Chemical Manufacturers Association.

The Blanchard Fellowship was initiated in 1999 by the endowment established by Elwood P. “Doc” Blanchard, Jr. to fund an assistant professor who is midway toward tenure (in the 3rd or 4th year). The major criterion for success will be maximum impact on the career of the awardee.

The first Blanchard Fellowship was awarded to Dr. Rigoberto Hernandez whose work in theoretical chemistry concentrates on polymerization dynamics and biomoilecular structure.