Fu-mei and Fu-Tyan Lin Endowed Scholarship in Polymer Science and Polymer Engineering

The Fu-mei and Fu-Tyan Lin Endowed Scholarship in Polymer Science and Polymer Engineering was lovingly established in 2022 by Ellen Lin, Alice Welch, and Kai Lin to honor their parents, Fu-mei and Fu-Tyan Lin, and to recognize the couple’s significant contributions to scientific research, development, and education.

Natives of Taiwan, Fu-mei and Fu-Tyan began their careers in their homeland as high school science teachers. The couple ultimately desired greater opportunities and chose to start a new life in the United States. Fu- Tyan immigrated first, and Fu-mei joined him in 1971 with their three young children. Despite being new arrivals in the country with few funds and a family of five, both earned master’s degrees in physics (Fu-Tyan ’71 and Fu-mei ’75) and doctorates in polymer science (Fu-Tyan ’79 and Fu-mei ’81) from The University of Akron. Their experience at UA left them filled with eternal gratitude for the kindness and guidance of their advisers, Dr. Charles Wilson III and Dr. James Harwood.

Fu-mei spent most of her career with the Calgon Corporation, where her expertise supported the company’s innovative research in cosmetics and other commercial products. She also happily provided training to colleagues and hosted summer interns, helping them reach their full potential.

Fu-Tyan went on to enjoy a long and distinguished career as a professor at the University of Pittsburgh, where he also mentored graduate students. He was especially fond of international students who needed a home during the holidays and who appreciated simple kindnesses, such as Fu-mei’s home-cooked meals and Fu-Tyan’s rides to the supermarket.

The couple was heavily involved in Pittcon (Pittsburgh Conference on Analytical Chemistry and Applied Spectroscopy) and served as committee members and chairs multiple times. Their passion for science also led them to participate in programs such as the Carnegie Science Fair and Science Outreach and to be active members of SSP (Spectroscopy Society of Pittsburgh) and SACP (Society for Analytical Chemists of Pittsburgh), in which they served as committee members and section chairs. In addition, the couple received accolades for their outstanding leadership in the scientific community. Fu-mei was the recipient of the Carnegie Science Award of Leadership in STEM Education for SSP in 2013, and Fu-Tyan was awarded the 2017 ACS (American Chemical Society) Pittsburgh’s Distinguished Service Award.

Fu-mei and Fu-Tyan were married for more than 57 years at the time of Fu-mei’s passing on April 26, 2022. For Ellen, Alice, and Kai, establishing The Fu-mei and Fu-Tyan Lin Endowed Scholarship in Polymer Science and Polymer Engineering is a most fitting tribute to the memory of their mother and a way to honor the work of their father. Despite the family’s financial hardships during their early years in a new country, the children never felt a lack of opportunity and were always encouraged by their parents to be curious, adventurous, and seek answers to their questions. With this scholarship, the Lin children wish to ensure that students in circumstances similar to those of their parents will have funds to ease the burden of tuition and benefit their families.

The Fu-mei and Fu-Tyan Lin Endowed Scholarship in Polymer Science and Polymer Engineering will be given to students who are first generation U.S. citizens or resident aliens or are children of a first-generation U.S. citizen or resident alien, who are enrolled in the School of Polymer Science and Polymer Engineering. First consideration will be given to students who are supporting a family and have demonstrated financial need.

Recipients will be determined by the College of Engineering and Polymer Science Scholarship Committee. If no candidate meets all the criteria noted above, the Committee will select deserving students in the School of Polymer Science and Polymer Engineering who match as many of the criteria as possible.