Linneaus and Phae Dorman

Linneaus Dorman, Ph.D., of Midland, began his career at The Dow Chemical Company in 1960 and retired in 1994 as a senior associate scientist. Dr. Dorman holds patents and publications in the fields of biomedical and polymer science. Dr. Dorman has also been a community leader and was active in numerous professional and civic activities, including the SVSU Board of Fellows of which he was president from 1983-1985.

Phae H. Dorman began her career at The Dow Chemical Company in 1973 and retired in 1994. She was Manager of the Business Information Center. Mrs. Dorman authored a book, Chemical Industries: An Information Sourcebook, a guide to the business-related publications of the chemical industry, published by Oryx Press. Phae Dorman was the wife of Linneaus Dorman. Together, the couple were strong supporters of higher education. A scholarship was also established at SVSU in Dr. Dorman’s name. Phae Dorman passed away in 2019

The Dormans established two scholarship funds in 1997 to recognize and honor the efforts of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., who was the dominant force in the civil rights movement during its decade of greatest achievement from 1957 to 1968, and civil rights pioneer, Rosa Parks. Educated and trained for a career in religious service, Dr. King organized peaceful protest campaigns against discrimination. Dr. King believed in non-violent social change, was a peace crusader against military action in Vietnam, and spoke out for victims of poverty in this country. Dr. King was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964. Rosa L. Parks, of Montgomery, Alabama, was one of the major catalysts of the 1960s civil rights movement. On December 1, 1955 she was arrested for refusing to give up a seat in the front of a city bus. This event lead to a Supreme Court ruling that segregation on city buses was unconstitutional. Her courage to defy custom and law to uphold her personal rights and dignity inspired others to stand up for their rights through nonviolent activities.