Jermain Doty Porter papers

Collection — Container: Small Collections Box 20, Folder: 8

Identifier: SCA-1190

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The papers consist mainly of mimeographed International Voluntary Services, Inc. newsletters which take the form of letters sent by Porter to friends and family. The newsletters describe Porter's travel accounts and impressions of teaching chemistry abroad in Laos during the Second Indochina War. The accounts describe being challenged by the language barrier and lack of infrastructure to carry out his teaching according to western standards. In addition, there is one photocopied postcard sent to Union College Chemistry Professor, Charles Weick, and a biographical article. Pdf versions of the newsletters are also included as part of the collection.

Dates

Creation: 1964 - 1994

Creator

Jermain Doty Porter, 1911-1987. Prof. UC 1937-1941; 1948-1964 (Person)

Conditions Governing Use

Open for research.

Biographical / Historical

Jerman Doty Porter (1911-1987), was a professor of chemistry and physics. Born in Cincinnati, Ohio, he graduated from Cornell University, first in 1932 and then in 1937 with a Ph.D. degree in Chemistry. While in college he wrote two manuals to go with Porter chemistry sets. His uncle Harold coauthored the second. He taught at Union College, 1937-1941, at Lebanon Valley College, 1941-1944, and at Wesleyan College, 1944-1948. He returned to Union in 1948, became associate professor in 1951, and professor in 1958. He resigned at Union in 1964 for duty with International Voluntary Services teaching chemistry in Laos. He died July 27, 1987, in Honolulu.