Dr. Larry Manziek

UWF degree and year of graduation:
BS, Chemistry, 1970

Why did you choose to attend UWF?
As a native of Pensacola attending Escambia High School and receiving my associate's degree from PJC, UWF was a logical transition both from a financial and convenience perspective. I knew I wanted to pursue a degree in Chemistry and UWF offered a unique educational opportunity. There were 10 Chemistry majors and six PhD faculty members. The student faculty ratio had opportunity written all over it. We each received very individualized hands on training and in hind sight I could not have made a better choice in preparing for my advanced studies even when compared to much larger and better known schools at the time. It wasn't until I got to graduate school that I realized how exceptional the technical education I had received from UWF was and how well prepared I was to compete with students from prestigious schools throughout the world.

What were your goals as a student?
I was the first in my family to receive a college education. The degree was the motivator for me. At the time I was working part time and going to school. As a student at UWF, I began to see greater horizons with the help of faculty members Dr. Ralph Birdwhistell and Dr. Jerry Gurst. At UWF, I was not necessarily the smartest student, but I was one of the hardest working. Personal motivation gave me great self-satisfaction. After UWF, I attended graduate school at the University of Florida where I received my MS Degree (Environmental Engineering) and PhD (Chemistry). I credit UWF for planting those seeds that challenged me to look beyond my BS degree and to further advance my education. To this day I get great personal satisfaction in having achieved these goals and often reflect on how the journey began at UWF.

What is your best memory from your days at UWF?
Fish fries with the Chemistry Club on the beach. This was a very close knit group bringing together faculty and students. My education in the Chemistry department was always “informal.” The founding faculty in Chemistry had an open door policy and treated students like family. I kept in touch with the faculty over the years and that family relationship is still intact for me. The commitment and dedication of the faculty to the student was very unique and inspiring.

Who was your favorite professor and why?
Dr. Ralph Birdwhistell, the founding chair of the Chemistry Department. He was excellent with students and fellow faculty members. Ralph set the standards high for both the students and the faculty and was always there coaching both to excel. Education was his passion. He was a great counselor, providing insight into the world and for me and he "lit my educational light bulb." Ralph taught me that it was important to give back and remember how you got there. As a result of this life lesson, I continue to support the Chemistry department today. Other faculty members Jerry Gurst, Peter Tanner, Cliff Chang and Grace Chiu were all exceptional educators. Also, Dot Stewart, while not an official faculty member, was a great educator for me as well - all the way back for me as a kid in Sunday school. She was a great Ambassador for UWF and for me enhanced the meaning and value of being a UWF Alumnus.

What do you do now and how did UWF help you progress to this point?
In 1975 I left graduate school and joined the Rohm and Haas Company as a Senior Research Scientist. My career at Rohm and Haas was both exciting and rewarding and I was very fortunate to work for such a fine company. I was recognized by the company with the prestigious Otto Haas Award for scientific excellence and attained the highly respected position of Senior Research Fellow, managing a large group of scientists and technicians researching exciting new technical frontiers. In 1998, after much deliberation I decided to retire, return to Pensacola and look to a new future pursuing personal interests. But that did not last long. I was enticed by a unique opportunity to take over the Executive Director position of the International Precious Metals Institute, a technical educational institute that I had been actively involved with for many years. It provided me with new horizons and challenges including its relocation to Pensacola which allows me the opportunity to pursue my personal interests as well. UWF provided for me more than just a technical education — it provided for me a “life education.” It helped me develop my philosophical approach to life. I want to spend one third of my life obtaining my formal education, one third of my life working and using my education and one third of my life pursuing my personal interests and goals on my terms. I came back to Pensacola and I am now living “my philosophical dream.” UWF helped me to achieve all of this. During my career, I often remembered the advice of Dr. Birdwhistell — “the difference between good scientists and great scientists is the power of observation”. My own experiences have allowed me to further define the wisdoms of Dr. Birdwhistell and add my on personal teaching — “there is no unfriendly data. One should approach life like a puzzle. Hold onto that data and with more experiments, experiences and over time the data will be valuable and the pieces of the puzzle will all come together.” And it proved to be true many times over.

How do you stay connected to UWF?
I have maintained a long relationship with the Chemistry faculty. Dr. Birdwhistell instilled in me the importance of giving back. I financially support the department. I feel I would be letting him down if I did not. I have also spoken to Chemistry classes and shared with them the uniqueness of the early classes, given seminars and serve on the Chemistry Department Advisory Board. I maintain friendships with the founding faculty and am developing new ones with those who will carry the Chemistry Department into the future.

What advice do you have to current and future UWF students?
Challenge your own personal fears and internal emotions. Our fears are instilled in us by our families and by others. FEAR is an acronym for “false expectations appearing real”. Challenge yourself and open up your horizons. Do not fear failure. It is a learning process and it will reward you in life. In my office there is a plaque that I have had for many years and I often reflect on its inscription “You cannot discover new oceans unless you have the courage to lose sight of the shore.” As you set sail from UWF, look to the horizon not the shore.

What quality makes UWF special or unique?
From its earliest days, UWF has been a gem in our community. It is a tremendous asset in northwest Florida, but it disturbs me that it is underappreciated. Perhaps during the 40th Anniversary Celebration, others will come to realize the numerous achievements of its academic departments, faculty and its alumni. And the great opportunity UWF offers those seeking an environment in which to excel all in your own back yard.

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