Stewart E. Hazlet was born in Freeport, Bahamas, on February 4, 1910. He pursued higher education in the United States and developed a career that linked scientific research with university teaching and academic administration. His professional work was centered principally in chemistry and graduate education.
Hazlet earned an A.B. degree from the University of Dubuque and subsequently completed M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in chemistry at the State University of Iowa, now the University of Iowa. His doctorate was awarded in 1935. His academic preparation in chemistry preceded a career in which research, instruction, and graduate education remained closely connected.
Hazlet began his academic teaching career at George Washington University and subsequently taught organic chemistry at the University of Illinois. In 1936 he joined the chemistry faculty of the State College of Washington in Pullman, where he conducted research and taught for more than three decades. He advanced from assistant professor to associate professor of chemistry in 1945 and became dean of the Graduate School in 1947, a position he held until 1960. He continued as a professor of chemistry and organic chemistry at the institution, later known as Washington State University, until 1970. His academic service included chairing the Faculty Executive Committee in 1945–1946, participating in graduate-study and research administration, serving on panels connected with National Science Foundation fellowship selections, and acting as a visiting associate for the American Chemical Society Committee on Professional Training. In 1960 he was also listed as a visiting associate in chemistry at the California Institute of Technology.
Conducted and published research in organic chemistry concerning aromatic compounds, substitution and bromination reactions, Cannizzaro reactions, and the reduction of aromatic nitro compounds.
Served as dean of the Graduate School of the State College of Washington from 1947 to 1960 while continuing his academic work in chemistry.
(Co-authored with Glen Alliger and Ralph Tiede; published ...)
1939(Co-authored with Clinton A. Dornfeld; published in the Jo...)
1944(Co-authored with Harris O. Van Orden; published in the Jo...)
1942(Co-authored with Robert B. Callison; published in the Jou...)
1944(Co-authored with Robert J. Brotherton; published in the J...)
1962(Co-authored with Harry A. Kornberg; published in the Jour...)
1941(Co-authored with Dale A. Stauffer; published in the Journ...)
1962(Co-authored with Lee C. Hensley and Herman Jass; a study ...)
1942(Co-authored with L. Chas. Raiford; published in the Proce...)
1935(Co-authored with L. Chas. Raiford; published in the Journ...)
1935Hazlet was active in the American Chemical Society. He served as a councilor of the Washington–Idaho border section and participated in the society's Committee on Professional Training as a visiting associate. His broader professional service included work on national academic and scientific panels concerned with graduate education, research, and fellowship selection.
Hazlet was survived by his son, William G. Hazlet; his daughter, Ruth Kirk; and his brother, Kenneth Hazlet.
