The Ohio Valley Section of AIChE celebrated its 50th anniversary in 1996. Dr. Raphael Katzen, one of our founding members, reflected on our 50 year history in the following excerpt from our section newsletter.

"After the conclusion of World War II, in September, 1945, engineers returned to peacetime activities. A group of these engineers met in Cincinnati to discuss the possibility of forming a local section of AIChE. Key participants included; Reuben S. Tour, Frank Messman, C. B. Rose, Robert Head, Alex Brown, Arthur Greber, Ted Wiehe, Stan Baechle, and Raphael Katzen. ...

Early meetings were held at the Faculty Club of the University of Cincinnati. As the section's membership grew, meetings were held at different points in the city that were convenient to the members. Dinner meetings and annual riverboat cruises have been successful in developing not only technical associations, but also social acquaintances and growing friendships among our section's members.

It should be pointed out that the growth, continuation, and lively activity of this section have been due to the many Chairs that have presided. It is this dedication of members of academia, industry, and the consulting engineering design world that have fostered the section's continued vitality, with programs benefiting the membership and the local community. We 'old-timers' have confidence that engineers just joining the section will become active, and will look forward to advancing into the Officers' ranks of the Ohio Valley Section."

Past Chairs