Dow's Kurt W. Swogger Wins the 2002 Earle B. Barnes Award

Kurt W. Swogger of The Dow Chemical Co., Midland, Mich., is the 2002 winner of the American Chemical Society (ACS) Earle B. Barnes Award for leadership in chemical research management. The award was presented to Swogger at the ACS annual meeting in Orlando in April. The award has been given annually by the ACS since 1982 and is sponsored by The Dow Chemical Co. Swogger is only the second person from Dow to win the award. He is currently vice president of polyolefins research and development at Dow.

Among many notable achievements, Swogger was responsible for the creation of several global business ventures, such as DuPont Dow Elastomers, and a joint development effort on ethylene-styrene interpolymers with Mitsui Petrochemicals in Japan. Swogger was also instrumental in the commercialization of Dow INSITET catalyst and technology.

"Kurt Swogger is clearly an inspired and inspiring promoter of the chemical sciences inside and outside of Dow," said Rick Gross, corporate vice president of research and development for The Dow Chemical Co. "He turned the phrase 'speed to market' from a nice philosophy into a way of life. We are privileged to have an individual with his ability, intellect and leadership skills working here at Dow."

The Earle B. Barnes Award is intended to recognize people who have shown outstanding leadership and creativity in promoting the science of chemistry, chemical engineering and research management. Persons who win the award have a record of successful research projects and people-management skills. Winners are also recognized for bringing new chemical and chemical engineering technology out of the laboratory to commercial reality. The award also lauds leadership in the management of students or employees in the pursuit of their research.

Dow is a leading science and technology company that provides innovative chemical, plastic and agricultural products and services to many essential consumer markets. With annual sales of $28 billion, Dow serves customers in more than 170 countries and a wide range of markets.