Student awarded doctorates in both chemistry and physics

At an extraordinary commencement ceremony two weeks ago, Purdue University awarded doctorates in both chemistry and physics to Harry T. Kloor—the first time in the U.S. that a student has received two Ph.D. degrees simultaneously. Kloor's dissertations—both theoretical—covered unrelated topics totaling 444 pages in chemistry and 320 in physics. "He did a very spectacular, strong Ph.D. [thesis] in chemistry," and "a brilliant, super thesis in physics," says physics professor Ephraim Fischbach, who was Kloor's adviser in physics and also served on his chemistry Ph.D. committee. Kloor, 31, entered Purdue in 1986 after earning two bachelor's degrees summa cum laude that year, also in chemistry and physics, at Southern Oregon State College. Kloor not only juggled work on two doctorates but also earned his way by serving as corporate liaison for the physics department—raising funds for departmental programs. He has also been an innovator in a department out-reach program, seeking to interest youth in science th...