Faces
Professor finds stride in retirement W
hen it came time for him to retire as a professor at Michigan State Uni- versity in East Lansing, James Dye
made a deal with his boss.
He said he would stay on, work with students and conduct research for no sal- ary. In return, his one request was to have a laboratory. That was 17 years ago. And in that time, Dye now not only has remained active, he has flourished. In 2004, working with Michael Lefen- feld, he founded SiGNa Chemistry, which, according to its website, has commercial- ized “chemistry materials based on the company’s core technology for trans- forming reactive alkali metals and their derivatives—which have historically been dangerous to use and store—into safe, free- flowing powders.”
In other words, Dye, who spent 50 years researching for research’s sake, started using his skills for practical purposes. And one of his biggest break- throughs is a method for stabilizing alkali
100 plus
105: Alida Thompson, Central, Minneapo- lis. 101: Mildred Hintz, Faith, Marshfield, Wis. 100: Edith Busse, Salem, Peoria, Ill.; Ralph Danklefsen, Incarnation, Poway, Calif.; Rachel Dumke, First English, Apple- ton, Wis.; Ralph Goddard, Zion, Stamford, Conn.; Toni Larson, Normandale, Edina, Minn.; Ellen Lindblad, Holy Trinity, Mer- cer Island, Wash.; Rose Ringhand, St. John of Cedarbrook, Aitkin, Minn.; Louise Tyler, Zion, Belvidere, Ill.; Dagmar Welch, Holy Trinity, Falls Church, Va.
Share your accomplishments, awards and 100+ members in “Faces.” Send to:
lutheran@thelutheran.orgor “Faces,” The Lutheran, 8765 W. Hig gins Rd., Chi- cago, IL 60631.
James Dye follows his advice to students at Michigan State University in East Lansing: “You can be involved as you want to be.”
metal-silicide powders, which can be used for hydrogen cartridges that provide energy to fuel cells designed to recharge cellphones, laptops and GPS units. The member of University Lutheran Church, East Lansing, has come a long way since his mischievous exploding experiments as a teen. “It started with a nice science teacher in ninth grade,” Dye said.
“Then in high school we had a good chemistry teacher. He didn’t have the chemicals to keep the lab open, but he saw I was interested and he let me work alone.”
Dye assumed he would go from college to the industry sector. But, having grown independent, he opted for academia. Although the salary would be half as much, Dye would have more control over his research. “I came to Michigan State in 1953, and I joined University Lutheran the same year,” Dye said. “I formally retired in 1994. But I knew I wanted to remain active.”
Dye continues working with undergraduates. His latest paper for publication will include input from 700 students. The professor emeritus has served as a liturgical deacon with his congregation for 25 years, but said he has been less active since retiring because of his lab work. Whether it’s helping with services, teaching students or making new discoveries, Dye said remaining active is what has kept him feeling much younger than his age. “You can be as involved as you want to be,” Dye advised. “I always
tell students, find something you have fun doing that you can do for life. That way you will enjoy it if you get paid or not.”
Jeff Favre Favre is a contributing editor of The Lutheran.
May 2011 43
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52