News

Double New Year’s honours for Durham’s Chemistry Department

(3 January 2007)

Two members of Durham University’s Chemistry Department have been recognised in the New Year’s Honours List 2007.

Emeritus Professor William James Feast FRS, has become a CBE for his services to Polymer chemistry and Dr Euan James Ferguson Ross has become a MBE for his services to higher education. Professor Feast is a Research Professor in the Department and he is currently the President of the Royal Society of Chemistry. Since his formal retirement in 2003, Professor Feast acted as the Coordinator for the University's Nano- Materials Innovation Centre (2003-6). Dr Ross has been the University’s Chemistry Departmental Administrator and Secretary of the Board of Studies, the Board of Examiners, the research committee and the staff-student consultative committee for 32 years. He retired formally last September but continues to help the Department in various ways and to serve as a tutor in Grey College. Professor Judith Howard FRS, Chair of Chemistry at Durham University, said: “We are all absolutely delighted that both Professor Feast and Dr Ross have been rewarded for their hard work over the years. They have been, and continue to be, tremendous assets to the Chemistry Department at Durham University as well as to the wider scientific community, to which they have given so much.” Durham’s Vice-Chancellor Sir Kenneth Calman said: “I congratulate Professor Feast and Dr Ross on behalf of the whole University. This is highly deserved recognition for the invaluable contribution they have made to the University as a whole but especially to the Chemistry Department, where they both remain active and respected members.”