ScienceMakers Toolkit Manual - The History Makers

Chemistry
Pursuing a career in academia, Warner served as assistant professor of chemistry at Texas A&M University from
1977 to 1982, eventually achieving tenure and a promotion to associate professor. Joining the faculty at Emory
University, Warner was promoted to full professor in 1986 and served as the Samuel Candler Dobbs Professor
of Chemistry from 1987 until 1992. During the 1988-89 academic year, Warner was on leave at the National
Science Foundation where he served as program offi cer for Analytical and Surface Chemistry.
Joining the faculty of Louisiana State University (LSU) in 1992 as the Philip W. West Professor of Analytical
and Environmental Chemistry, Warner became chair of the Chemistry Department and was appointed to the
position of Boyd Professor in 2000.
Warner published over 230 articles in referred journals throughout the course of his career; a frequent guest
lecturer, he also gave over 500 talks. Warner received fi ve patents with another pending (as of 2004). In
addition to his own speaking and publishing activities, Warner chaired over thirty doctoral theses. Recognized
just as much for his work as a mentor as for his scientifi c activities, Warner’s awards included the CASE
Louisiana Teacher of the Year Award in 2000; the 2000 LSU Distinguished Faculty Award; and the 1997
Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics, and Engineering Mentoring from President Clinton.
Warner and his wife, Della Blount Warner, raised three children.
Discussion Questions
Personal:
1. What did you like best about listening to Dr. Warner?
2. What do you think Dr. Warner’s favorite quote means? What does this tell you about him?
3. Where was Dr. Warner born? Locate it on a map. How far away is this from where you live? What are
the names of his parents? Where did Dr. Warner attend high school? What do you suppose high school
was like for him?
4. How old are you? In what year was Dr. Warner your age? What was happening in the country that year?
What was happening in the world that year? What do you suppose his life was like when he was your
age?
5. Dr. Warner talks about his great-great-grandfather, who was a medicine man in Africa. What is the
herbalist tradition? What are some of the countries that have a rich herbalist tradition? Does that
tradition survive today? Where? How has this tradition infl uenced modern medicine? How has it
infl uenced Dr. Warner’s own work? Research this and report back to the class. (See Clip #1)
6. Dr. Warner talks about his early school experience. What kind of a student was he? What was the
reason for this? What happened as he progressed in his studies? What do you think was the deciding
factor? How have you changed as a student throughout your school career? Are you pleased with this
change? What do you think it will means for your future studies and your future career? What do you
think you improve upon to achieve your goals? (See Clip #2)
7. Dr. Warner describes a special teacher. What was her name? What did she do that made such an
impression on him? What did he take away from the experience? Have you ever had a special teacher?
What did that teacher do for you? What lessons did you learn from that teacher? (See Clip #3)
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