Dr. Donald & Mrs. Barbara Weyenberg

Dr. Donald Weyenberg joined Dow Corning Corporation in 1951. He married Barbara Oppenheim of Coldwater, Ohio, in 1955. They met in Midland when he was a research chemist at Dow Corning and she was a high school science teacher. He earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Chemistry from the University of Nebraska, and completed his Ph.D. at Pennsylvania State University in 1958.

Mrs. Weyenberg earned a Bachelor of Science Degree from Indiana State University in 1948, and a Master’s Degree from Michigan State University. Mrs. Weyenberg earned her Master’s Degree in just one year — an accomplishment that remains unmatched even today. Mrs. Weyenberg was a high school science teacher and also briefly taught at the University level before retiring from teaching in 1960 to start a family.

Dr. Weyenberg was a Research Chemist until 1968, when he was named Research Manager for Organometallic and Inorganic Chemistry. He held a variety of technical and commercial management positions throughout his career, including Senior Vice President of Research and Development. He was awarded numerous US and foreign patents in the field of organo-silicon chemistry. Dr. Weyenberg gave numerous seminars on the role of high technology industry as a link between science and society. He retired in 1992 after 40 years of service.

Dr. Weyenberg was a member of the SVSU Science Advisory Committee and served in a leadership role during one of SVSU’s major fund raising campaigns. Mrs. Weyenberg was a member of the Midland Garden Club, Study Club, and was active in her community. Dr. Weyenberg passed away in 1998; Mrs. Weyenberg passed away in 2008.

Dr. and Mrs. Weyenberg established the scholarship fund in 1997 because they believed that additional opportunities must be provided to encourage and assist students in pursuing training in technology and the sciences. They were strong supporters of the arts and sciences.