McCluer Science Awards Program records

The McCluer Science Awards Program was established in April 1973 by Mr. Wilbert C. McCluer, a 1926 DePauw graduate, and Mrs. McCluer. Its original purpose was to encourage scientific curiosity and to develop productive imagination among outstanding chemistry majors, and to provide opportunity for research and study activities during the summer and the academic year. In 1974 the program was broadened to include students majoring in all of the natural sciences. This program was an outgrowth of earlier gifts to the University by Mr. and Mrs. McCluer. In recognition of those gifts, three student research laboratories were established in DePauw's Science and Mathematics Center. At Mr. McCluer's request, these laboratories were named Merrell R. Fenske Student Research Laboratories in honor of Mr. McCluer's close friend and associate in the field of chemistry, Dr. Merrell R. Fenske, a 1925 DePauw graduate, who died in 1971. While at DePauw, Mr. McCluer was a Rector Scholar. During his professional career he was a chemist and petroleum industry executive. Prior to beginning his career in industry, he earned the master's degree from MIT and then for five years was associated with Pennsylvania State College in lubricating oil research projects. Following seven years with the Kendall Refining Company, he was associated with Rohm and Haas Chemical Company for twenty-three years, twenty of them as manager of the Bristol, Pennsylvania, manufacturing plant.