[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 134 (Thursday, December 7, 2006)]
[Senate]
[Page S11494]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      TRIBUTE TO DR. NORMAN DUFFY

 Mr. ROCKEFELLER. Mr. President, today I join the Council for 
Advancement and Support of Education, CASE, and the Carnegie Foundation 
in honoring Dr. Norman Duffy. Dr. Duffy, a chemistry professor at 
Wheeling Jesuit University, has personified both the best in education 
and the best in West Virginia throughout his career.
  After receiving his bachelor of science in chemistry from Georgetown 
University, where he continued his studies as a doctoral student, Dr. 
Duffy began his career as a graduate and research assistant. His 
research then took him overseas where he became a NATO postdoctoral 
fellow at University College in London. After receiving his Ph.D. he 
began his teaching career at Kent State University where he first 
became a full professor and then eventually chairman of the Department 
of Chemistry.
  Upon his departure from Kent State University in 1996, Dr. Duffy 
joined the faculty of Wheeling Jesuit University, WJU. From 1996 to 
2000 he was chairman of the Department of Biology and Chemistry and 
from 2000 to 2002 he was Chairman of the Department of Chemistry. He 
continues teaching small classes that allow him to focus on 
individualized education as a professor in the Department of Chemistry.
  In addition to his illustrious teaching career, Dr. Duffy has done a 
great deal to further the general public's knowledge of chemistry and 
has been acknowledged for doing so. He has released 95 publications, 
authored 14 research grants at WJU, including three from the National 
Science Foundation, and has received many honors and awards including 
the Exemplary Teacher award from the American Association of Higher 
Education during their 25th anniversary celebration in 1994.
  In my decades of service to the people of West Virginia in the 
Senate, I have become very familiar with Wheeling Jesuit University and 
its outstanding academic programs. For 10 consecutive years US News and 
World Report has ranked WJU as among the best master's universities in 
the South.
  Wheeling Jesuit has become one of the leading universities in the 
country in helping to educate and prepare students for the dynamic 
economy of the 21st century. WJU is home to the brand new $10 million 
Acker Science Center, the Robert C. Byrd National Technology Transfer 
Center, the Erma Ora Byrd Center for Educational Technologies, and 
NASA's flagship educational program, The Classroom of the Future, which 
uses simulated space missions as a way to teach elementary and high 
school students about science and math.
  The true legacy of a teacher is the mark that their students leave on 
the world, and by that measurement Dr. Duffy has certainly had a 
remarkable career. He has taught future Fulbright Scholars, many 
students who have received departmental honors, and, of course, 
students who have been inspired enough by his example to become 
teachers themselves.
  As a teacher, Dr. Duffy admits his work is never finished. Whenever 
he is asked if he plans to retire, Dr. Duffy responds by asking, ``Does 
everyone in West Virginia understand chemistry?'' Dr. Duffy's 
dedication is obvious and inspiring.

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