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Raised in the suburbs of Washington, DC, Richard Sonntag received his BChE from Catholic Univ. of America. Although he did start out as a music major, he was not impressed with the work ethic of many music students and the lack of job opportunities for graduates. Grateful that he had good grades in math and science, he made a drastic switch to chemical engineering. He credits sticking with the program largely due to two outstanding professors, Rev. Leo van Winkle (now deceased) and David M. Wetzel (now at LSU). "Chemical engineering is certainly a more marketable skill than music, but industrial opportunities are limited to certain regions. I was so naive that it never occurred to me that I would have to relocate away from the DC area," says Richard.
After graduating in 1980, he wanted to further his knowledge of chemical engineering fundamentals. He was accepted into the graduate program at Princeton. His research professor there, William B. Russel, gave Richard a solid grounding in colloid and polymer science, which has proved a basis for his career and a passion for his work. In 1985, when he completed his PhD thesis, he accepted an offer...