Theodore R. Williams

Theodore R. Williams, Professor of Chemistry Emeritus, received his B.A. from Howard University in 1952, his M.S. from Penn State in 1954, and his Ph.D. from the University of Connecticut in 1960. Ted's research involved the characterization of biological tissues in normal and diseased states. The determination of trace metals and water content of eye tissues has been a major area of his investigation. He took research leaves at Harvard University, Connecticut Medical School, Case Western Reserve University, and Carnegie-Mellon University. He taught introductory and analytical chemistry as well as a course in chemistry for nonscience majors. He was the Sloan Visiting Professor of Chemistry at Harvard in 1969, received the Catalyst Award for outstanding teaching from the Manufacturing Chemists Association in 1978, the Award for Excellence in Teaching from the ACS Division of Analytical Chemistry and E.I. du Pont Company in 1989, and the Percy Julian Award for the National Organization of Black Chemists and Chemical Engineers in 1990. Ted served many years as chairperson of the Analytical Fellowship Committee of the ACS and in 2000 he is chair of the Analytical Division of the ACS. He was active with Project Kaleidoscope and the ChemLinks project, both sponsored by the NSF. Ted served as a member of the board of both of these programs. He enjoyed music of all kinds, especially chamber music.

Recent Publications:

P. L. Edmiston and T. R. Williams; An Analytical Experiment in Error Analysis; Repeated Determination of Glucose Using Commercail Glucometers; J. Chem. Educ. 77, 377-379 (2000).

T. R. Williams; The Teaching of Learning: Chemistry as a Template for Cultivating Research as a Personal and Professional Learning Vehicle; American Laboratory, 32, 20-24 (2000).

J. M. Zink, J. L. Koenig, and T. R. Williams; Determination of Water Content in Bovine Lenses Using Near-Infrared Spectroscopy;Ophthalmic Res., 29, 429-435 (1997).

E. L. Roberts*, A. M. Eldridge*, S. L. Ames, and T. R. Williams; Copper Concentrations in bovine Ocular Tissues; Microchemical Journal, 51, 387-392 (1995).

K. A. DeMali* and T. R. Williams; Determination of the Content of Water in Bovine corneas by Differential Scanning Calorimetry and Thermogravimetric Analysis; Ophthalmic Res., 26, 105-109 (1994).

* Wooster undergraduate.

Invited Lectures and Papers/Posters Presented at Professional Meetings:

T. R. Williams and D. L. Powell; Untold Tales of Their Interactions with Students, Women in Science Forum, The College of Wooster, February 2000.

T. R. Williams; Undergraduate Analytical Education: Where We are Going; Eastern Analytical Symposium, New Jersey, November 1999.

T. R. Williams; A Traditional Analytical Chemist Looks at Biological Systems; Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Denison University, Granville, OH, March 1999.

T. R. Williams; Research,The Ultimate Final Examination, DePauw University, Greencastle, IN, April 1999.

R. H. Bromund, D. L. Powell, and T. R. Williams; Scientific Disasters in Which We Have Participated; Women in Science Forum, The College of Wooster, March 1999.

T. R. Williams; Polymer Science for the 21st Century; ChemLinks Coalition Meeting, January 1997.

T. R. Williams; The Ingredients for Being Successful as a Scientist; Keynote Speaker, COSEN RESM Conference, Duke University, June 1996.

T. R. Williams; Application of Analytical Techniques to Study the Eye; Sigma Xi Chapter Wooster, OH, December 1995.

T. R. Williams; Who Cares About Science?; Alumni Weekend Faculty Lecture, The College of Wooster, June 1995.

Recent Grant Support

"Universal Application of a GC-MS in Science Education: Integrating Courses and Programs for Pre-College, Non-Science, and Science Students Using Instrumental Teaching Assistants," NSF-CCLI, $48,989, by P. L. Edmiston, D. L. Powell, and T. R. Williams.