Notebook • Volume XX VI • 2018
James M. Sugihar a turns 100 A LIVING LEGEND
James M. Sugihara earned the first doc-
approval signatures: Walter D. Bonner,
torate degree in Chemistry at the Univer-
Lloyd E. Malm and Elton L. Quinn. Henry
sity of Utah in 1947 and this represented
Eyring had not yet started work as dean
one of the first two doctorates granted
of the Graduate School by that date.
in the history of the University. Interest-
Sugihara accepted a faculty position
ingly, the other degree that year went to
at the U and taught chemistry in Utah
Ewart Swinyard who later became the
until 1964. He later moved to North
dean of the College of Pharmacy
Dakota State University and became
at the U.
dean of the College of Science and
This year, Sugihara is celebrating
Mathematics. He was named Dean of
another milestone – his 100th birthday.
the Graduate School and Director of
When asked for his secret to longevity,
Research in 1974. In 1998, he retired as
he simply replied, “keep moving.”
Professor Emeritus.
And so stepping stones turn into milestones.
“Be not afraid of going slowly. Be afraid of standing still.” – Japanese proverb
A Brief History Sugihara holds an important place
“Scientific progress has moved in ways that one could not expect. Research in genetics has become paramount, leading to improvements in medicine and human health that one
in the University’s history, as well as
could not imagine just 10 or 20 years
Utah’s history.
ago,” says Sugihara.
In 1942, shortly after the bombing of Pearl Harbor, when Sugihara was just
Scholarship – a permanent named
24, he and his family were relocated
scholarship – was established in the
from California to the Topaz Mountain
Chemistry Department at the U. It
internment camp in Utah. The family lost
provides financial support for an under-
their home and business.
graduate who is studying chemistry and
However, Sugihara was granted a
who is living on campus in the Crocker
leave from Topaz Mountain to pursue an
Science House located on Officers Circle
education, since he had already earned a
in Fort Douglas.
bachelor’s degree in chemistry at UC-Berkeley in 1939. He enrolled at the U in 1944 and studied chemistry, although there was no graduate school at the time. In 1946, Sugihara’s 84-page dissertation on “The Reactions of Mercaptans on Sucrose and Molasses,” included only three
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In 2010, the James M. Sugihara
“I envy today’s students for the wonderful opportunities they have,” says Sugihara. “I have lived by the principle that one ought to give back more than they receive,” says Sugihara. And so stepping stones turn into milestones.
