In Memoriam: L.E. "Skip" Scriven
 Professor
L. E. “Skip” Scriven, a long-time professor of the Department
of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science and University of
Minnesota Regents Professor, passed away August 3, 2007 of complications
from pancreatic cancer.
During his illustrious career, Scriven authored more than 400 publications
and advised more than 100 Ph.D. students in the department. His
research program was internationally renowned, focusing on coating
and coating processes. His research combined experimental, theoretical,
and computer modeling approaches in order to better understand industrial
coating application processes. During his career, Scriven also made
significant contributions to the fields of capillary hydrodynamics,
enhanced oil recovery, colloid science, and the theory of interfacial
phenomena. He was one of the co-founders of the National Science
Foundation Center for Interfacial Engineering at the University
of Minnesota.
In addition to his research program, Scriven was very involved
in undergraduate instruction in the department. He was the champion
for the Unit Operations Lab, the most important chemical engineering
lab taken by undergraduates. Scriven also was an advocate for a
team teaching program in the department. His graduate course in
fluid mechanics was one of a kind. He spent years polishing, sharpening
and perfecting the course.
Scriven received his bachelor’s degree in 1952 from the University
of California, Berkeley, and his Ph. D. in 1956 from the University
of Delaware. He worked as a research engineer for Shell Development
Co. before joining the Chemical Engineering department in 1959 as
an Assistant Professor. Skip was named a full professor in 1966
and was elected to the National Academy of Engineering in 1978.
In 1988 he was selected as a Regents Professor at the University
of Minnesota, the highest honor given to faculty.
Memorial donations should be directed to two established funds
in the University’s Department of Chemical Engineering and
Materials Science:
The L.E.
Scriven Fund for Summer Undergraduate Research Participants (SURPS)
Fund, or
The L.E.
and D.H. Scriven Fund, an endowment fund, for research scholarships,
research fellowships and research
Donations are considered tax-deductible gifts.
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