Achievements
Education
- B.S., Chemistry and Mathematics, McMurry University
- Ph.D., Inorganic Chemistry, Kansas University
- Sabbatical Research, Organmetallics, Vanderbilt University
Employment
- 1969-present: Professor of Chemistry, Kentucky Wesleyan College
- 1963-1963: Associate Professor of Chemistry, McMurry University
- 1960-1963: Research Assistant, Kansas University
- 1959-1960: Teaching Assistant, Kansas University
Biography
Professor Emeritus W.L. Magnuson, a native Texan, received the B. A. degree in chemistry and mathematics from McMurry University in Abilene, Texas. Following the awarding of the Ph.D. degree in inorganic chemistry from Kansas University, he returned to McMurry as an Assistant Professor where he taught in the Chemistry Department for six years. Dr. Magnuson later became Chairman of the Chemistry Department at Kentucky Wesleyan College and taught General Chemistry, Inorganic Chemistry and Physical Chemistry until he retired. During his tenure, he and his colleagues receive many grants, including several from the National Science Foundation to purchase major equipment and to conduct summer chemistry programs for gifted high school students through the nation. During his sabbatical at Vanderbilt University, he published results of his research on organometallics in the Journal of Inorganic Chemistry. Professor Magnuson’s passion was to establish chemistry scholarships and to graduate chemistry majors who became successful in the professional careers.
Appointments
1969-present: Professor of Chemistry, Kentucky Wesleyan College
1963-1963: Associate Professor of Chemistry, McMurry University
1960-1963: Research Assistant, Kansas University
1959-1960: Teaching Assistant, Kansas University
Publications
- W.L. Magnuson, Ernest Griswold, and Jacob Kleinberg, 1964. Reactions of some transition metal cyano-complexes in molten potassium cyanide. Inorganic Chemistry, 3, 88-93.
- Lukehart, C.M. and W.L. Magnuson, 1984. Reactions of coordinated molecules. 37. Carbon-carbon bond formation between adjacent acyl ligands in (triacylrhenato) boron halide complexes. Journal of American Chemical Society, 106, 1333-1335.
Synergistic Activities
- Grant Panelist: NSF Equipment Grants.
- Program Director: NSF Student Science Training Program in Chemistry, 1977, 1978, 1980, 1981.
- Faculty advisor for the Pre-Professional Society: coordinates speakers, off-campus visits to tour graduate & professional schools, social and community-building activities for STEM majors
- Oversees student research placements in Chemistry REU programs
- Oversees internship placements for Chemistry students interested in entering the workforce