Plaquemine News: Dow Donates $25,000 to Louisiana Tech University in Lafitte’s Honor

Dow Donates $25,000 to Louisiana Tech University in Lafitte’s Honor

Plaquemine, Louisiana - June 05, 2007

Dow honored one of its top technical engineers, former Senior Process/Technology Consultant Larry Lafitte, at a reception help recently at the Dow Plantation House by donating $25,000 to Louisiana Tech University, his alma mater, in his honor. Pictured here are (l to r) Larry Lafitte, Dr. Dan Reneau, President or Louisiana Tech University and Lee Trusty, Dow Louisiana Operations Site Leader during the check presentation to Louisiana Tech.

A reception was held at Dow’s Louisiana Operations Plantation House in Plaquemine, LA recently honoring one of Dow’s top technical engineers, former Senior Process/Technology Consultant Larry Lafitte. Dow thanked Lafitte for his 29-year dedicated career by donating $25,000 to Louisiana Tech University, his alma mater, in his honor. Dr. Dan Reneau, President or LA Tech, Terry McConathy, Executive Vice President of LA Tech and other LA Tech Officials were on hand to accept the donation and to congratulate Lafitte on a wonderful career.

The reception opened with Lafitte’s long-time friend and former colleague, Dow’s Global Planning Improvement Leader for Polyolefins Technology Jim Akers, speaking about Larry’s remarkable life. He spoke of Lafitte receiving his Master of Science Degree in Chemical Engineering from LA Tech in 1971 and his return to LA Tech in search of his Doctorate in 1975. Lafitte was unable to finish his quest for a doctorate degree due to health reasons.

Lafitte joined Dow in 1976 and after a remarkable career, he retired from Dow in 2005. For his retirement, his colleagues helped him receive a unique gift, a full academic doctorate in chemical engineering from LA Tech. His colleagues submitted non-proprietary examples of his Dow work in lieu of a doctoral dissertation, which illness kept him from completing 31 years ago at LA Tech.

Throughout Lafitte’s career, his technical depth and breadth have made him a valued consultant and participant on many important Dow projects spanning a wide variety of Dow businesses. As the key mechanical and process design expert in Polyolefins Manufacturing, he made major contributions to virtually all significant process technology advancements within Polyolefins. Lafitte was broadly recognized as a leading expert in many areas of manufacturing technology such as process and mechanical design, turbomachinery, gas turbines, coal gasification, and polymer handling equipment design.

About Dow

For Editorial Information:

Gary Cambre
The Dow Chemical Company
(225) 353-8265


About Us News Center News Releases Groundwater Information Lighthouse Road - Cleanup & Closure Publications Public Report Community Involvement Careers at Dow Contact Us Around Dow Newsletter (1.4MB PDF) Dow in Louisiana Plaquemine/Grand Bayou		Dow Donates $25,000 to Louisiana Tech University in Lafitte’s Honor Plaquemine, Louisiana - June 05, 2007 Dow honored one of its top technical engineers, former Senior Process/Technology Consultant Larry Lafitte, at a reception help recently at the Dow Plantation House by donating $25,000 to Louisiana Tech University, his alma mater, in his honor. Pictured here are (l to r) Larry Lafitte, Dr. Dan Reneau, President or Louisiana Tech University and Lee Trusty, Dow Louisiana Operations Site Leader during the check presentation to Louisiana Tech. A reception was held at Dow’s Louisiana Operations Plantation House in Plaquemine, LA recently honoring one of Dow’s top technical engineers, former Senior Process/Technology Consultant Larry Lafitte. Dow thanked Lafitte for his 29-year dedicated career by donating $25,000 to Louisiana Tech University, his alma mater, in his honor. Dr. Dan Reneau, President or LA Tech, Terry McConathy, Executive Vice President of LA Tech and other LA Tech Officials were on hand to accept the donation and to congratulate Lafitte on a wonderful career. The reception opened with Lafitte’s long-time friend and former colleague, Dow’s Global Planning Improvement Leader for Polyolefins Technology Jim Akers, speaking about Larry’s remarkable life. He spoke of Lafitte receiving his Master of Science Degree in Chemical Engineering from LA Tech in 1971 and his return to LA Tech in search of his Doctorate in 1975. Lafitte was unable to finish his quest for a doctorate degree due to health reasons. Lafitte joined Dow in 1976 and after a remarkable career, he retired from Dow in 2005. For his retirement, his colleagues helped him receive a unique gift, a full academic doctorate in chemical engineering from LA Tech. His colleagues submitted non-proprietary examples of his Dow work in lieu of a doctoral dissertation, which illness kept him from completing 31 years ago at LA Tech. Throughout Lafitte’s career, his technical depth and breadth have made him a valued consultant and participant on many important Dow projects spanning a wide variety of Dow businesses. As the key mechanical and process design expert in Polyolefins Manufacturing, he made major contributions to virtually all significant process technology advancements within Polyolefins. Lafitte was broadly recognized as a leading expert in many areas of manufacturing technology such as process and mechanical design, turbomachinery, gas turbines, coal gasification, and polymer handling equipment design. About Dow For Editorial Information: Gary Cambre The Dow Chemical Company (225) 353-8265
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