John L. Burmeister

Nationally recognized Professor Emeritus of Chemistry and Biochemistry John L. Burmeister was recognized in 2021 by the Trustees for his long and illustrious career on the faculty of the University of Delaware. Through 55 years on the faculty (42 years as Associate Chair), Professor Burmeister guided generations of students to the Bachelor’s degree and onto the Ph.D.. His interest in and guidance of students was the stuff of legend.

Burmeister became synonymous with the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry to much of the University for his teaching, research, and service. He served the University of Delaware in many different ways, but his teaching was clearly his special interest. In addition, he found another service niche as he was a long-serving advocate of athletics as Delaware’s representative to the NCAA.

David A. Plastino

In 2023, another member of the Chemistry and Biochemistry family, Dave Plastino (BS/CHEM/78), was honored by the University of Delaware with the Medal of Distinction. A loyal Blue Hen since his graduation, Dave has been a continuing supporter of chemistry and biochemistry undergraduate research students (where he has funded ~90 undergraduate summer research students to date), as well as more generally supporting the mission of the University through the establishment of the Plastino Scholars Program (where he has funded ~75 additional undergraduate awardees). Dave says it better than we could say: 

“I was extremely honored to have received the UD Medal of Distinction. It’s unimaginable to me that 49 years have passed since the Fall of 1974 when I sat down for my first Chem 111 class with Dr. Burmeister. Little did I know then that the choice to be a chemistry major would have such a profound positive influence on the arc of my life. I will always be appreciative of my chemistry classmates, all of the faculty, especially Drs. Burmeister and Bulkowski, and department administrators who helped me along the way.”

Through the ongoing work of faculty like John Burmeister and alumni like Dave Plastino, students in chemistry and biochemistry have the advantage of excellent learning opportunities. We congratulate both for these recognitions of their generosity to students.