The recipient of the 1998 Herman F. Mark Polymer Chemistry Award for 
outstanding research and leadership in polymer science is Prof. James 
Economy from the University of Illinois. Dr. Economy has played a pivotal 
role over the past 35 years in the design and development of a number of 
new polymer systems such as liquid crystalline materials for structural 
uses, novel thermosetting resins that can be recycled, flame resistant 
textiles, new fibers for environmental control, microelectronic devices 
and inorganic preceramics. This body of work not only represents landmark 
contributions to the design of novel materials for each of these areas, 
but has provided a fundamental base of understanding which continues to 
provide stimulus for the design of further polymeric systems. He has 
played a key leadership role not only in industrial management of polymer 
research, but also in his university and societal activities. Prof. 
Economy's career has spanned industrial responsibilities at Allied 
Chemical, Carborundum and IBM. Currently he is Head of the Materials 
Science and Engineering Department at the University of Illinois. He was 
elected to the National Academy of Engineering and is a fellow of the 
AAS. He has been active nationally and internationally in many 
organizations including the ACS Division of Polymer Chemistry (Chairman, 
1985) and IUPAC Macromolecular Division (President, 1994-1998). He has 
authored or co-authored over 170 papers, numerous books and book 
chapters, and more than 60 U.S. Patents. The award is sponsored by the 
Dow Chemical Company Foundation and will be presented to Dr. Economy at 
the 1998 Biennial Meeting of the ACS Polymer Division held at the 
Williamsburg Inn, Williamsburg, VA, on November 22-25.