Associate Director of the North Central Region

Thomas H. Lane

Thomas H. Lane was elected in the 2014 elections and will serve three years, beginning July 1, 2015.

Present Position:

Scientist Emeritus at Dow Corning Corporation.

Chapter Affiliation:

Central Michigan

Candidate's Statement:

Tom received his undergraduate education, in chemistry, at Purdue University, a master’s degree from Central Michigan University and his Ph.D. in physical organic chemistry from the Open University in England. Both Purdue and CMU have recognized him with their Distinguished Alumni Award. Tom received the highest level of recognition from the Open University for his contributions to the arts and sciences, education, and the university with an honorary doctorate degree that was presented at a special ceremony in the Palais des Congres, Versailles, France (September 2011).

He worked at the Dow Corning Corporation for 35 years where he achieved the highest scientific rank within the Corporation for his technical contributions in the areas of interfacial science, scientific computing, and in the biology and biotechnology of silicon. These accomplishments have been internationally recognized and summarized in over 15 US and 85 International patents, 400 technical presentations, 170 scholarly reports or publications, 5 book chapters and an encyclopedia chapter on silicon chemistry.

He holds academic positions in both the US and the UK. He is the 2009 President of the American Chemical Society, a Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry, an American Chemical Society Fellow, a Sequoyah Fellow of the American Indian Science and Engineering Society, a Fellow of the Society for the Advancement of Hispanic/Chicanos & Native Americans in Science and a number of other professional organizations. Today, Tom’s primary focus is education, student success, and the STEM pipeline.

For fun, Tom enjoys photography. He specializes in black & white, film photography using large wooden field cameras (8x10 inch negatives). He maintains a professional level darkroom in his home to develop and print his images using techniques and formulas that date back to the mid-1800.

Although Tom’s involvement in Sigma Xi has been limited to serving as the Midland’s Chapter president (1988-89) his leadership experience in professional societies and nonprofits are both relevant and extensive. His experiences at the national level within the American Chemical Society includes: President-Elect, 2008; President, 2009; Past President, 2010; Member of the Board of Directors, 2008-2010; Executive Committee, Member, 2008-10; Ex Officio Councilor, 2008 – lifetime; Committee on Budget and Finance, 2007-16, Vice-Chair 2010, Associate Member, 2006; Committee on Corporation Associates, 2000-07, Chair 2005-07, Vice-Chair 2002-04, Consultant 2010- 14; Board of Trustees, Group Insurance Plans for ACS Members, 2002-10, Chair, 2007- 10, Vice-Chair and Chair Pro Tem 2006; Committee on Committees (ConC), Member Ex Officio, 2008; Council Policy (CPC), Chair, 2009, Member, 2008-2010; Grants and Awards (G&A), Member, 2008-09; Public Affairs and Public Relations (PA&PR), Member, 2008; Executive Compensation, Chair, 2010, Member Ex Officio, 2009, 2008 (Nonvoting); Development Advisory Board, 2008-2010; Planning Committee, Member, 2008-2010; Society Committee on Education, Member, 2011-16; Leadership Advisory Board, 2011-16. Related experiences include: Trustee and Past Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Delta College, University Center; Trustee, Delta College Foundation Board; Trustee and Vice President, Dow Corning Foundation; Director, Big Brothers and Big Sisters (2007-2010); Board of Managers, Alden B. Dow Museum of Science and Art (2004-2010); Director of Planning and Policy, Center of Interfacial Engineering, University of Minnesota, 1991-94; Chemistry Board, Kettering University, 1998-07; Director, Biosensor Enterprise, LLC (2006-2010).

Thomas H. Lane's CV.