Wednesday, February 5, 2025 2pm to 3:30pm
About this Event
Join Us for an Inspiring Talk by Dr. Willie E. May
"An Improbable Journey: From the Projects in Birmingham, Alabama, to Leading the U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology and Beyond"
We invite you to hear the remarkable journey of Dr. Willie E. May, Vice President for Research and Economic Development at Morgan State University. Dr. May will share his insights on achieving success despite adversity.
Even the most challenging circumstances can lay the foundation for extraordinary accomplishments. Dr. May grew up in Birmingham, Alabama, during the late 1950s and early 1960s, at the height of the Civil Rights Movement. At the time, he never imagined he would become an internationally renowned scientist, hold Presidential appointments as the Under Secretary of Commerce for Standards and Technology and Director of the U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), or serve on the National Science Board of the National Science Foundation.
In this talk, Dr. May will reflect on the hidden advantages that shaped his career, often embedded within the more visible obstacles. He will discuss:
Dr. May will conclude with reflections on "flunking retirement" and his decision to dedicate the final chapter of his career to advancing the education of young African Americans at Morgan State University. He will also discuss the critical need to include the “Missing Millions” in the STEM enterprise to ensure the United States remains globally competitive.
Dr. May earned a B.S. in Chemistry from Knoxville College (1968) and a Ph.D. in Analytical Chemistry from the University of Maryland (1977).
Don’t miss this opportunity to hear an extraordinary story of perseverance, leadership, and impact!
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