William Marion Mebane Distinguished Teaching Chair
in Chemistry & Biochemistry

Dr. William M. Mebane, born in Newton, NC, was a renowned scientist, weapons expert, educator, and a former Director of Rocket Research and Development at the Redstone Arsenal for Thiokol Chemical Corporation. He was an outstanding national authority on the subject of planning and development of modern and future weapons. His career also included distinguished military service and 20 years of teaching at sveral colleges and universities. He received undergraduate and graduate degrees from the University of North Carolina.

Mrs. Isabella Knudsen Mebane graduated from the College of Charleston in 1928. Because of her, Dr. Mebane loved and respected the College of Charleston. The chair was established in 1987 with a gift from Mrs. Mebane and alternated between the chemistry and physics departments with two year terms. It was the first endowed chair at the College of Charleston. In 1998 the Mebane Endowment had increased in value to where a chair could be sponsored in each department and the terms extended to four years in length.

Holders of the chair and their initial year of appointment are as follows:

1988 Marion T. Doig, III
1992 Elizabeth Martin
1996 Henry Donato, Jr.
2000 W. Frank Kinard
2004 Gary Asleson

Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry
School of Sciences & Mathematics