Testimonials

We have asked Fellows that are 80 or older if they can share their thoughts of what has meant to them to be an AIChE Fellow. We include their testimonials below. If anyone reading this page wants to contribute their thoughts, please write to fja@aguivel.com.

John O'Connell (Fellow since 1990)

My professional life has been profoundly influenced by being an AIChE Fellow. I was selected to Fellow Grade in 1990. It would have been earlier from my first nomination in 1987 by my students and colleagues at the University of Florida, but I did not have the required 25 years’ experience of that time. The students were crushed at the rejection. They were successful later, though we all were disappointed with the delay since I was no longer in Gainesville to celebrate with them. This experience helped motivate me to later join the successful effort to remove an actual number of years from the By-Laws while maintaining the criteria for selection as a career of outstanding service and significant professional accomplishment.

My life has been blessed with outstanding teachers and colleagues showing me how to do impactful research, meaningful teaching, and selfless service while providing great personal satisfaction. Though I was successful enough before becoming a Fellow, my contributions to AIChE then greatly increased both because the recognition gave me a voice in many more areas of the Institute, and it increased my confidence to take on greater leadership roles to further its mission. I held the position of Chair of the Fellows for several years and became founding chair and then secretary of the Fellows Council. My goals were for the Fellows to take on greater stewardship for the membership at large and to assist the Institute Leadership. My Fellow involvement strengthened my election to, and service on, the AIChE Board of Directors; the end of my term coincided with my 50^th year of membership.

While my level of professional activities has decreased as I age into my late 80s, being a Fellow pushes me to connect as much as possible with the Institute staff, the Fellows Council, and CEP.

New and old Fellows should know that their selection recognizes them as vital members of our profession. Further, the honor brings a responsibility to continue, and even do more of, their present activities while broadening into other areas. The opportunities for service to the Institute and our profession are boundless.

Stay engaged with the Fellows by attending Fellows Breakfasts at National Meetings, reading and sharing the Fellows Newsletter, and most importantly, nominating worthy colleagues for Fellow Grade. All these will give you even richer fulfillment and greater satisfaction. Together we will help AIChE achieve higher stature in our society, as well as bring benefits to the world as only chemical engineers can.

John O'Connell, Professor Emeritus, University of Virginia (September 28, 2024)