value from varied experience

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EDITORIAL Value from Varied Experience Industry and the universities gain from respectful cooperation A true university, as a center of thought, draws from all possible sources, including the best possible range of the nonacademic. The Re- gents' Professorship of the University of Cali- fornia is an admirable example of reaching be- yond the academic walls to benefit from the intellects of accomplished men. According to Dr. Clark Kerr, University of California president, appointment as Regents' Professor is offered to "individuals, who, because of their distinguished and broad experience in public affairs, business, or the arts and professions, would have a special contribution to make to the university's academic program." Dr. Theodore L. Cairns, organic chemist and director of basic sciences in Du Pont's central research department, has accepted the most re- cent appointment to that distinguished professor- ship. He will be on the Los Angeles campus of the University of California during the first semester of the 1965-66 academic year. Dr. Cairns is the third chemically trained man to be appointed to the Regents' Professorship, which has been occupied in the past by Dr. James B. Conant, former president of Harvard, and Dr. Thomas H. Chilton, formerly technical adviser to Du Pont's engineering department. The broad, deep, and frequent contacts be- tween universities and business and industry are seen and sensed too little by the public and even by the students. Too often the academic and industrial worlds appear sharply separated. Too often the members of each are inclined to speak of the other in tones of deprecation, harsh or subtle. The higher interests of any pursuit, whether that of the professor, the businessman, or the clergyman, can be and are tarnished from time to time with self-interest or chauvinism. Yet mutual respect is so much more constructive. Open commitments to respect by both univer- sities and industry for what each has to offer the other intellectually are healthy. The University of California and others making such commit- ments deserve to be praised often and sincerely for the light they bring. JULY 2 6, 1965 C&EN 7

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Page 1: Value from Varied Experience

EDITORIAL

Value from Varied Experience Industry and the universities

gain from respectful cooperation

A true university, as a center of thought, draws from all possible sources, including the best

possible range of the nonacademic. The Re­gents' Professorship of the University of Cali­fornia is an admirable example of reaching be­yond the academic walls to benefit from the intellects of accomplished men.

According to Dr. Clark Kerr, University of California president, appointment as Regents' Professor is offered to "individuals, who, because of their distinguished and broad experience in public affairs, business, or the arts and professions, would have a special contribution to make to the university's academic program."

Dr. Theodore L. Cairns, organic chemist and director of basic sciences in Du Pont's central research department, has accepted the most re­cent appointment to that distinguished professor­ship. He will be on the Los Angeles campus of the University of California during the first semester of the 1965-66 academic year.

Dr. Cairns is the third chemically trained man to be appointed to the Regents' Professorship, which has been occupied in the past by Dr. James B. Conant, former president of Harvard,

and Dr. Thomas H. Chilton, formerly technical adviser to Du Pont's engineering department.

The broad, deep, and frequent contacts be­tween universities and business and industry are seen and sensed too little by the public and even by the students. Too often the academic and industrial worlds appear sharply separated. Too often the members of each are inclined to speak of the other in tones of deprecation, harsh or subtle. The higher interests of any pursuit, whether that of the professor, the businessman, or the clergyman, can be and are tarnished from time to time with self-interest or chauvinism. Yet mutual respect is so much more constructive.

Open commitments to respect by both univer­sities and industry for what each has to offer the other intellectually are healthy. The University of California and others making such commit­ments deserve to be praised often and sincerely for the light they bring.

J U L Y 2 6, 1 9 6 5 C & E N 7