Lifetime Achievement Award

Douglas Doren, who is retiring after 32 years as a professor and administrator at the University of Delaware, was awarded the College of Arts and Sciences Lifetime Achievement Award at a celebration honoring him on Monday, Oct. 12.

Colleagues and friends gathered online to thank Doren for his many accomplishments that had substantial, positive impacts on students, faculty and research across UD. A professor of chemistry and biochemistry, he most recently was interim vice provost for graduate and professional education and previously was deputy dean of the College of Arts and Sciences.

CAS Dean John A. Pelesko presented the College's Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of Doren's years of leadership and service. He told the gathering that Doren had played an important role in countless projects over the years, always without seeking personal attention.

"Doug has never been a person who needs credit or accolades for his work," Pelesko said, instead maintaining "a steadfast focus on the success of the institution."

Other speakers at the celebration also cited Doren's unselfish work and dedication to CAS and UD. Among many other accomplishments, they said, he helped reshape the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, supported junior faculty members and other colleagues, focused on building a strong and interdisciplinary research program that is also a strong educational program, mentored numerous students, was committed to diversity, and launched and oversaw the annual Nobel Prize lecture series that showcases UD faculty research.

In all those projects, his colleagues said, he was always willing to do whatever was needed to achieve goals and improve the institution.

"It's never been about you," Charlie Riordan, vice president for research, scholarship and innovation and a professor and former chair of chemistry and biochemistry, told Doren. "It's always been about getting work accomplished."

Former CAS Dean George Watson called Doren "a fantastic member of the dean's office [and] a great academic leader."

David C. Wilson, CAS senior associate dean for the social sciences, said Doren had been like his big brother in the dean's office--"a great role model and a great mentor for me as a leader."

In thanking the college for the Lifetime Achievement Award, Doren said a dedication to working together to solve problems was not just his approach but was "a characteristic of the entire College." He thanked staff and administrators in the dean's office and the provost's office for their hard work, support and collegiality.

More about Doug Doren's career

Doren arrived at UD in 1988 as an assistant professor of chemistry and biochemistry and became a full professor in 1999. After joining the CAS dean's office in 2007, he served as interim associate dean for natural sciences and mathematics, associate dean for research and, from 2009 through 2015, as associate dean for the natural sciences. He became acting deputy dean for the College in 2014, deputy dean in 2016 and interim vice provost in July 2018.

Doren earned his bachelor's degree in electrical engineering and computer science at the University of California at Berkeley and his doctorate in chemical physics at Harvard University. He also did postdoctoral work at AT&T Bell Labs.

His research uses methods of theoretical and computational chemistry to study problems in semiconductor surface chemistry, STM imaging of molecules at semiconductor interfaces, electronic properties of semiconductor materials for photochemistry and solar energy, catalysis for biomass transformation, and aqueous solvation in extreme conditions. 

Article by Ann Manser; photos by Evan Krape

Published Oct. 13, 2020