Renowned among alumni as a maestro in the lecture hall and among his peers worldwide for his scientific virtuosity, Egon’s contributions to Clarkson are legendary. He inspired excellence in the laboratory, the classroom, and in life. As a world-renowned researcher with numerous publications and patents to his name, he ignited passion and intellectual curiosity among his peers and led the Clarkson faculty to always place students first.
Egon Matijević was born on April 27, 1922, in Otocac, Croatia. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in chemical engineering in 1944, Ph.D. in chemistry in 1948, and Doctor Habil in 1952, all from the University of Zagreb, Croatia.
Egon began his career at Clarkson University in 1957 as a post-doctoral fellow, following a year as a research fellow at Cambridge University in England. Egon accepted a permanent faculty position at Clarkson in 1960. In 1965, he founded the Institute of Colloid and Surface Science, the first of its kind in the U.S. and a precursor to the Center for Advanced Materials Processing, establishing Clarkson as preeminent in the field of colloid and surface science.
Egon was a brilliant scholar whose prolific and inspired research helped shape the modern field of colloid and surface science. Known in the international scientific community as “Mr. Colloids,” his research led to 581 papers published and 17 patents. His techniques for preparing fine particles, uniform in size and shape, have applications in products like the capacitors used in microelectronics, magnetic memories, and the ceramics used in electronic components.
Egon received many honors nationally and internationally and was the only individual bestowed with all three major awards of the American Chemical Society in his field of colloid chemistry: The Kendall Award (1972), the Langmuir Distinguished Lecturer Award (1985), and the Ralph K. Iler Award (1993). He was also honored with the Thomas-Graham Award in 1985, the highest prize of the oldest colloidal society in the world, Germany’s Kolloid Gesellschaft.
Egon was a brilliant teacher who demanded excellence from his students. Despite his high demands, he was always fair and encouraged students to learn. As a mentor, Egon instructed 15,000 undergraduate students and advised more than 50 Ph.D. candidates, 50 M.S. students, and 130 postdoctoral scholars. He received many accolades from his students, including the Distinguished Teaching Award. One of his greatest joys was hearing from past students, whether they provided updates on their careers and personal lives, sought advice, or shared how he influenced their lives.
In addition to his service, Egon was a generous benefactor to the University. He established the Bozica Matijević Endowed Graduate Fellowship Fund to honor his late wife. Upon his death, Egon bequeathed his extensive art collection to the University, including paintings, sculptures, and porcelain.
Egon passed away on July 20, 2016, at the age of 94. He was Clarkson’s oldest and longest-serving active, full-time faculty member. His legacy lives on.
Egon Matijević was a well-rounded scientist who believed a university is a cultural institution that must promote both art and science. He understood the connection between art and science. Both require creativity, and having a background in both exposes students to different ways of thinking and looking at the world.
While Egon was devoted to his work in the sciences, he was equally as passionate about art and humanity. Friends described him as gregarious, loyal, and kind. Egon was a wine enthusiast who enjoyed hosting social gatherings at his home and showing off his vast art collection, including paintings, sculptures, and porcelain. He collected over 150 international pieces throughout his lifetime, all of which he donated to Clarkson upon his death.
The Matijević Art Collection purposefully sits at the center of campus, where students from all disciplines come together to collaborate and study, to ignite an atmosphere that inspires creativity.