An excellent role model, Lew Allen has long promoted the technical education of minorities and the disadvantaged and has encouraged them to pursue science degree programs. In 1969, while teaching at Florida A&M University, he first mentored a student in Project Catalyst, forerunner of the ACS SEED program (Summer Educational Experience for the Disadvantaged). For many years, he has been a driving force behind the local ACS Project SEED and was very active for 10 years on the national SEED Committee, co-chairing anniversary symposia.
Believing it is crucial to reach grade school students before they develop mind sets, Lew has long participated in the adopt-a-school program of the National Organization for the Professional Advancement of Black Chemists and Chemical Engineers (NOBCChE). He still serves NOBCChE locally as moderator for various Science Bowl competitions. He had also worked on the PRIS2M program to interest local high school students in science and math. In the late 70’s, he was one of eleven black Ph.D.’s at Kodak, a high-water mark for U.S. companies.
Currently serving the Section as Member-at-Large and chair of the Retired Chemists and Project SEED Committees, Dr. Allen represented the Section as Councilor for 15 years. He was our Chairman in 1987, the Section’s 75th Anniversary year, which was capped by a very successful NERM-17 symposium. His other Section activities have included serving as treasurer, photographer, and on the lecture series, membership, and long range planning committees. In 1993 he received the well-deserved Rochester Section Award.
Born in Monroe, LA (1937), Lew grew up in New York City and took a competitive exam to attend the Bronx High School of Science (Class of ’54). Lew considered a pre-med track for college, but his respected H.S. teacher persuaded him that a chemistry career would provide a broader horizon. He received his B.S. from Queens College (City University of NY, 1958), and his Ph.D. (physical organic chemistry, 1963) from Syracuse University. From 1963-70 he served on the Florida A&M faculty, then joined the Color Photographic Chemistry Division in the Kodak Research Labs. On a 9-month detour to KRL’s Personnel Office, he conducted Ph.D. recruiting. In 1974 he was asked to coordinate responses to customers’ environmental questions. He envisioned a short-term job developing a catalog of standard answers, but questions became complex enough to be handled eventually by a group of more than 30. In 1980, Lew joined the Industrial Laboratory (later, Chemicals Quality Services), and soon became head of the Environmental Analytical Services Lab, and retired in 1992.
By special request, Lew taught Chemistry 101 for three years at MCC’s brand new lab on the Damon Campus (Sibley Building). He also managed to fit in teaching chemistry labs one semester each on the Brockport and Geneseo campuses and an MCC summer course for 3M first-level supervisors, who had little chemistry background. He countered “chemophobia” by providing them an awareness of chemistry’s contributions to society and its impact on consumers’ concerns. From 1993-9 he pursued his love of teaching at Empire State College. There, students at mid-career in their 30’s designed their independent studies for a degree, so Lew expanded his knowledge in toxicology, quality assurance, fire protection, and chemical safety.
Lew and his wife Diane, a retired Greece middle school math teacher, have a son, two daughters, and three grandchildren. They love to travel and have taken over 20 cruises. Last year they bought a Sarasota condo and became snowbirds. Lew has been active in Toastmasters and has served on the boards of the Bay View YMCA and the Retired Professional Society of Rochester. As an avid bridge player, he travels frequently to tournaments and has earned the title of Silver Life Master. J. Dolf Bass
