The 1980s were a mixed reality for a lot of people in Pennsylvania. While some people recovered economically, others faced lingering challenges from the 1970s. The last of the steel industry closed in the face of foreign competition. Environmental concerns grew with the Three-Mile Island nuclear power plant accident in 1979. There was hope, though, with the advent of the first personal computers and the thaw of the Cold War. New festivals also appeared in a lot of towns reflecting a vibrant culture scene that had developed.
The 1980s in Pennsylvania saw the development of the ability to identify people based on their genetic profile, a process developed at the University of Pennsylvania. Also at the University of Pennsylvania was the development of a genetic treatment for people with chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML), improving the survival rate of this disease. Researchers at Carnegie-Mellon University started to make strides in the field of robotics. In private industry, Merck, a pharmaceutical company, developed the first statin drug, helping to lower cholesterol levels and preventing heart attacks.
The 1980s in the Academy saw the change of the Proceedings of the Pennsylvania Academy of Science to the Journal of the Pennsylvania Academy of Science. Along with the change in name, there was a noted modernization of the cover and format to the yellow and blue of the logo. This decade also saw the establishment of having Annual meetings at hotels instead of on member campuses.
Below are the highlights of the Annual Meetings of the Academy, if they are known.
56th Annual Meeting – April 20-22, 1980 (Sponsored by Carlow College at Seven Springs Resort, Champion, PA): A symposium on “Aftermath of Three-Mile Island Accident” was sponsored by the Henry C. Frick, Educational Commission
57th Annual Meeting – April 5-7, 1981 (Host Corral, Lancaster, PA): A highlight of this meeting was an address by Lt. Governor William Scranton. A symposium on the “Ecological Implications of Energy Production” was held. The keynote presentation was given by Dr. David Kritchevsky of the Wistar Institute on “Diet and Disease.”
58th Annual Meeting – March 26-28, 1982 (Sponsored by Duquesne University at Seven Springs Resort, Champion, PA): A symposium on “The Exploitation of Pennsylvania’s Coal Reserve.” The address was given by Dr. Shyamal Majumdar of Lafayette College who spoke on “Genetic Engineering Technology.”
59th Annual Meeting – April 10-12, 1983 (Host Corral, Lancaster, PA): The address was given by Dr. R. Goldsby on “Immunological Engineering with Hybridomas.” A symposium on “Solid and Hazardous Waste” was given during this meeting.
60th Annual Meeting – March 30 – April 1, 1984 (Seven Springs Resort, Champion, PA): An address was given by Dr. Nicholas Short on “Remote Sensing from Space – The New Approach to Managing Our Earth’s Resources.” A symposium on “Endangered Species” was given by Dr. Federic Brenner.
61st Annual Meeting – April 21-23, 1985 (Host Farm, Lancaster, PA): There were two programs given at this meeting. Both were given by Dean Charles L. Hosler on “Toxic Waste Conundrum” and “Weather Prediction in the Year 2000.” The symposium was “Atmospheric Deposition of Acids.”
62nd Annual Meeting – April 18-20, 1986 (Seven Springs Resort, Champion, PA): The address for this meeting was given by Dr. Herbert M. Austin, who spoke on “The Chesapeake Bay Fisheries: Their History, Problems, and Promise.” The symposium was led by Dr. Federic Brenner on “Wildlife Welfare.”
63rd Annual Meeting – April 12-14, 1987 (Host Farm, Lancaster, PA): The address for this meeting was given by Robert M. Schmalz, who spoke on “People, Plankton, and Petroleum.” The symposium was on “Pennsylvania Biological Survey: A Legacy of Penn’s Woods.”
64th Annual Meeting – April 15-17, 1988 (Seven Springs Lodge in Champion, PA): There is no other information on this meeting.
65th Annual Meeting – April 7-9, 1989 (Mt. Airy Lodge, Mount Pocono, PA): There is no other information on this meeting.
Go to Chapter 10: Pennsylvania Academy of Science in the 1990s