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The recipient of the 2008 Division of Polymer Chemistry Paul J. Flory Polymer Education Award is Frank N. Kelley, Dean Emeritus, College of Polymer Science and Polymer Engineering and Professor Emeritus of Polymer Science, The University of Akron, Akron, Ohio

Born in Akron, Ohio, he attended The University of Akron where he earned a B.S. in chemistry, an M.S. and a Ph.D. (1961) in polymer chemistry. While attending the University, he was employed by the Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company and later the Institute of Polymer Science at UA. After graduating, he was employed by the Union Carbide Corporation until entering active duty as a first lieutenant in the United States Air Force. He was assigned to the Air Force Rocket Propulsion Laboratory Edwards AFB, California, and, at the completion of his military tour, in July, 1964; was employed as a civilian. He conducted research and managed technical programs associated with solid-propellant mechanical properties. He rose though the ranks and in 1971 was named Chief Scientist, the lead civilian position. In 1973, Dr. Kelley transferred to the Air ĀForce Materials Laboratory at Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio to occupy a similar position. In 1976, he was promoted to Director of the 450 person Laboratory, with responsibilities for the USAF Materials and Manufacturing Technology R&D programs.

In 1978 he returned to his alma mater to serve as a professor and Director of the Institute of Polymer Science. He was appointed dean when the College was formed in July 1988, a position he held for 18 years. As Professor of Polymer Science, he personally supervised the research of 18 PhD and 6 Masters degree graduates. He has published approximately 50 articles and book chapters, and has edited a book on Polymers in Space Research. He has 2 active patents and has given invited lectures in over 30 countries worldwide.

As dean, Dr. Kelley was the chief administrator of the largest academic polymer program in the U.S. Since 2000, it has been ranked as # 2 in the nation by US News and World Report. The college serves approximately 250 graduate students and postdoctoral fellows. In addition to two graduate level academic departments and two research institutes, it houses an applied research services lab supporting the polymer industry, a training center for plastics and rubber technologists, and an on-line polymer distance education program.

He has served on the boards of the Great Lakes Science Center, the Edison Polymer Innovation Corporation and Ohio Polymer Enterprise Development Corporation. He served for 13 years as a director of Premix Inc., an Ohio based polymer composites company, and currently serves on the board of Romeo RIM, Inc., a Michigan based plastics company. He is a corporate advisor to The Reserve Group, a private equity firm based in Fairlawn, Ohio. He serves on the Boards of Directors of Polyflow Inc., Akron Polymer Systems, Inc., and Akron Polymer Coatings Inc.

Dr. Kelley received the Rubber Age Award, the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics Outstanding Technical Contribution Award, the Air Force Commendation Medal, the Civilian Meritorious Service Medal, twice, (in 1967 and 1978), and the Exceptional Civilian Service Award from the Secretary of the Air Force. He received the Distinguished Award of Council from the Akron Council of Engineering and Scientific Societies, and the Distinguished Sales and Marketing Award from Sales and Marketing Executives International. He has been awarded the Society of Plastics Engineers Fred Schwab Education Award (National), the G.S. Whitby Award in Rubber Education from the American Chemical Society's Rubber Division (National, 2008), and was a recipient of the Northern Ohio Live Magazine's Special Award of Achievement. He was named Outstanding Alumnus of the Department of Polymer Science at UA, and received the John R Buchtel Award in Natural Sciences from the Buchtel College of Arts and Sciences. He was named a National Alumnus of the Year by Tau Kappa Epsilon Fraternity in 1996. Retiring January 1, 2007, he was awarded a Doctor of Humane Letters degree; honoris causa, by UA. Also, the University bestowed upon him the Order of the Phoenix in recognition of his career contributions to the University, his profession and community.

The Paul J. Flory Polymer Education Award was established in 1981 and is administered and sponsored by the Polymer Chemistry Division to recognize, encourage, and stimulate outstanding achievements by an individual or team in promoting undergraduate and/or graduate polymer education. Dr. Kelley will present the award address at a symposium arranged in his honor at the fall meeting of the Polymer Chemistry Division in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.