Dr. Dennis W. Weatherby (December 4, 1959 - September 15, 2007) was an administrator and scientist, responsible for leading the team that developed the chemical formula for what is now known as Cascade Dishwashing Detergent. He was born in Brighton, Alabama to Willie and Flossie Mae Weatherby. He earned a football scholarship to Central State University. He graduated with a BA in Chemistry, and an MA in Chemical Engineering from the University of Dayton. He earned his Ph.D. in Educational Psychology from Auburn University.
He took a job with the Procter & Gamble Company. He was hired as a process engineer, he was asked to lead a team to create a new version of dishwashing detergent. He made a breakthrough, and along with co-developer Brian J. Roselle, he and his team developed a solution that did not stain dishes. On December 22, 1987, he received US Patent #4,714,562 for “automatic dishwasher detergent composition.”
He worked for The Whittaker Corporation, before joining the faculty at Central State University. He became the assistant professor of water quality for the CSU International Center for Water Resources Management. He served as an advisor, recruiter, and counselor for students in the environmental program, and was responsible for more than 400% growth in student enrollment at the university.
He joined the faculty of Auburn University, to establish and lead the school’s new minority engineering program. He moved to the University of Notre Dame, serving as the associate dean of the graduate school. He accepted the position of Associate Provost for student success at Northern Kentucky University.
He suffered from high blood pressure throughout his life and fell ill in August 2007. While recovering at home, he hit his foot on a bedpost and developed a blood clot that traveled to his brain. He is survived by his wife, Marpessa, 4 daughters and 2 sons. In his honor, to commemorate 25 years of the Engineering Academic Excellence Program, The Weatherby Society at Auburn University was established to recognize those who have made donations and gifts of over $25,000. #africanhistory365 #africanexcellence #alphaphialpha