Chemistry Professor Carl Johnson of Detroit has been named department chairman.

Johnson came to WSU as an assistant professor in 1962 and was appointed professor in 1968. In 1990 the Board of Governors made him a member of an elite group of only 13 faculty members ever to be awarded the title of Distinguished Professor.

Other WSU honors include a Distinguished Graduate Faculty Award (1976), election to the Academy of Scholars (1979) and a Gershenson Distinguished Faculty Fellowship (1987). He has served on numerous university, college and departmental committees.

Internationally known for his work in organic and sulfur chemistry, he has received research support from the National Institutes of Health, the National Science Foundation, 3M and Proctor & Gamble Co.

Johnson holds a bachelor's degree in pharmacy from the Medical College of Virginia, a doctoral degree from the University of Illinois and did postdoctoral studies at Harvard University. He has authored or co-authored six textbooks, published more than 180 refereed journal articles and presented more than 350 papers.