Earl L. Wehry

Dr. Wehry joined the faculty of the university’s Chemistry Department in 1970. He retired in 1996. In 1985 he received the Outstanding Scholar Award from the university’s Phi Kappa Phi Chapter and was named a Chancellor’s Research Scholar in 1986. He gained national recognition as a specialist in analytical optical spectroscopy and high-resolution fluorescence analysis. His research led to improved understanding of luminescence of chemicals as well as to the development of new spectroscopy methodologies and instrumentation. The series of monographs, Modern Fluorescence Spectroscopy (1976–    ), which he edited, has had a lasting impact on the theory and practice of fluorescence analysis. His numerous publications and the large number of graduate students he supervised gave the Chemistry Department’s analytical chemistry group a national reputation. In 1982 Wehry received the William F. Meggers Award from the Society for Applied Spectroscopy. His contributions to the intellectual life of the university have been recognized by placement of a plaque in his honor on a faculty study.