Alumni Celebrate Professor Van Wormer’s 52 Years with Tufts

Ken Van Wormer

In celebration of Professor Ken Van Wormer’s incredible 52 years of service to the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering (he joined as an instructor in 1954 and has since held the rank of Professor and former Chairman), we are pleased to present anecdotes and memories collected from alumni relating their experiences with Professor Van Wormer.

If you would like to add your own anecdotes, please email Joanna.Huckins@tufts.edu. We love hearing from our alumni!

My name is Rob Arno (E81). I, like my brother David Arno (E80), had professor Van Wormer as a Chemical Engineering Professor. In the spring of 1980, Professor Van Wormer dragged me into his office and told me that I was failing his Unit Operations course and that it might affect my graduating status. I responded and said, "That's odd, I'm acing your course". He went on to say, "Well David, you failed your mid-term..........". I quickly interrupted and said, "Excuse me professor but I'm Rob Arno, you must mean my brother David". All said and done, with the help of Professor Van Wormer, David passed the course, graduated and has had a very successful career.
- Rob Arno (E81)

My funniest recollection of working with Ken involved a fellow graduate student, whom I believe ultimately got his PhD from Tufts. It seems that Don did not take his calories from solid food, but rather from beer. Well, that "sometimes" left him sleepy in the classroom. One day we each had to present the results of an assignment to the class. Sure enough, when Don's turn came he was fast asleep in his chair. He never responded when his name was called. Ken asked us all to tiptoe out and leave "sleeping beauty" where he was. Which we all did, including Ken. It was the laugh of the department for eons...
- Dick Siegel (E64, G66)

I had Professor Van Wormer in 1968 for Plant Design. I remember two things about the Professor. One, he gave me a passing grade and I was able to graduate. And two, if he had a dislike for something he would say it wasn't worth "a hill of beans." Congratulations to the Professor for his longevity in the working world. I retired in 2005.
- John Murphy, PE (E68)

I arrived at Tufts in September, 1980. During senior year of High School I was a terrible screw-up and my grades fell precipitously. Tufts had already accepted me but I got a letter which admonished me for my poor performance and stated that I would be on some kind of academic probation. Sure enough, upon my arrival to Houston Hall, a written memo awaited me which reinforced my probation status and instructed me to report to a Dr. Van Wormer to discuss the terms. This was all happening in the wake of the recently released movie “Animal House,” where the term “double secret probation” was used and the straight-laced dean in the movie was named “Dean Wormer!” So, part of me was terrified and part of me was laughing in anticipation of my meeting with Prof Van Wormer. In the end, he was gracious and somewhat nurturing. He basically said “Do your work and nobody will bother you!” He put me at ease and made me feel that I might actually be able to do the work. I remember this meeting warmly. Of course, I took his advice! The double secret probation magically disappeared and all was well.
- Joseph M. Abruzzo, MD (E84)

I came to Tufts in 1955 as a ChE major and lived in Carmichael where Ken was resident and while his family came about. He was always somebody that clearly was on top of his profession and somebody to look up to. Inexplicitly, I did deviate form the pure path after graduation and got an MBA from Harvard. I wish Ken the very best in retirement. My wife and I are doing just that and are heading for Morocco Saturday.
- Russ Johnson (E60)

Well, my experiences in Tufts Chemical Engineering were as a transfer student from BU as a chemistry major, the result of which was a mixed up curriculum. Professor Van Wormer's contributions to me were, as a result, dual in nature. First, and probably foremost, he was sensitive to the fact that most semesters I was taking courses ranging from freshman year (Graphics) to electives with the Senior Class when I had open time. As a result, my social contacts with my normal class of '60 were sporadic. Secondly, once I was a senior, I did a BS thesis under his tutelage. When I look back at that effort and his encouraging assistance in learning the elements of organizing a project, I realize that this characterized my Tufts Engineering experience. I had a professor who helped and guided me as a mentor. Later, I went on to complete a Ph.D. program and carried those lessons of organization with me. (I still have a copy of that thesis.)
- Boris M. Krantz (E60)