The University of Utah has unveiled a stunning statue of Henry Eyring, a renowned chemist who served as the founding dean of the university’s graduate school. The statue, located in the atrium of the Henry Eyring Chemistry Building, is a testament to Eyring’s remarkable contributions to the field of chemistry.
Eyring’s Legacy
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- Wrote over 600 scientific papers and 10 volumes
- Developed the absolute rate theory, known as the Eyring equation
- Received the National Medal of Science in 1966 and the Wolf Prize in Chemistry in 1980
The statue was provided by Khosrow Semnani, a philanthropist who was deeply moved by Eyring’s impact on his life. “He was a very kind man in many ways,” Semnani said. “He never stopped promoting kindness.”
President Eyring’s Tribute
President Henry B. Eyring, of the First Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, delivered a heartfelt tribute to his father during the unveiling ceremony. He shared that his father was someone who loved God, loved people and loved chemistry. “He saw himself as a person whose main purpose was to help people, that that’s what God would want him to do,” he said. The statue depicts Eyring sitting on a stool, holding a model of a molecule and smiling as if he was teaching a class. “That smile is the smile he always had when he taught about chemistry, and he was trying to lift people,” President Eyring said.
The Artist Behind the Statue
The statue was sculpted by Mark Degraffenried and created through the Metal Arts Foundry. Degraffenried described Eyring as a kind and gentle person who was always promoting kindness. “He was a very kind man in many ways,” Degraffenried said. “He never stopped promoting kindness.”
Key Figures in Chemistry
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- Peter Armentrout, interim chairman of the university’s chemistry department
- Taylor Randall, university President
- Gary Herbert, former Utah Gov.
- Dale G. Renlund, Elder of the church’s Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
These individuals, along with others, gathered to celebrate Eyring’s legacy and contributions to the field of chemistry.
Scientific Contributions
* Eyring was a trailblazing theoretical chemist who made significant contributions to the field of chemistry. * His research on chemical kinetics helped build a foundation for the modern day understandings of chemical reactions. * His works included seminal research on the theory of liquids, optical rotation, rate processes in biology and medicine, aging and cancer, anaethesiology and other areas.
| Contributions | Examples |
|---|---|
| Developed the absolute rate theory, known as the Eyring equation | His equation is widely used in the field of chemistry to describe the rates of chemical reactions. |
| Received the National Medal of Science in 1966 and the Wolf Prize in Chemistry in 1980 | These awards recognize his outstanding contributions to the field of chemistry. |
Eyring’s Impact on the University
The university is celebrating its 175th anniversary this year, and Eyring’s time at the school is a great inflection point in the university’s history. “Beyond these scientific achievements, he was also known for his passion for education, his infectious enthusiasm for discovery of all sorts, and his unique ability to bridge the realms of science and profound philosophical thought,” Armentrout said.
Quoted Statements
“Dr. Eyring’s contributions to theoretical chemistry have fundamentally shaped our understanding of chemical kinetics, and I know that for a fact, because I do chemical kinetics, and I use some of his principles all the time.” – Peter Armentrout, interim chairman of the university’s chemistry department
“He was a very kind man in many ways. He never stopped promoting kindness.” – Khosrow Semnani, philanthropist
“That smile is the smile he always had when he taught about chemistry, and he was trying to lift people.” – President Henry B.
