Former Columbian Chemicals physicist wins honorary doctorate

MULHOUSE, France (Nov. 13)—Retired Columbian Chemicals Co. physicist and carbon black researcher Bill Hess has taken an honorary doctorate degree bestowed by l´Universite de Haute-Alsace in Mulhouse. The sole representative of industry this term to receive the honor, typically reserved for academicians, Hess is ``thought of as a guru´´ in his field, said Charles Herd, director of Columbian Chemicals´ European Central Laboratory, who worked with Hess for more than five years. ``Bill Hess set an example´´ as a researcher, collaborator and scientist, said Jean-Baptiste Donnet, professor emeritus at l´Universite de Haute-Alsace. Known as ``the Pope of Carbon Black,´´ according to Herd, Hess ``represents the achievements of industry,´´ Donnet said.