David Simpson, Ph.D.

Served on the MatSE Executive Advisory Board 2016-21

Current residence: The Woodlands, Texas

In a nutshell, my job today entails creating new polyethylene catalyst, process, and product technologies to meet the everincreasing market demands for performance.

Why I chose Penn State: When looking for universities in the mid-1980s, Penn State was one of the few that offered a true polymer science degree. After visiting the campus and speaking with Bronco Gordon, who was a faculty member at the time, I was hooked!

When I was a 5 year old, I wanted to do something technical. Computers were fascinating because they were still in their infancy. I remember checking out a book on chemistry from my elementary school library and rereading it many times.

My fondest Penn State memory is: I came from a very rural area, and State College was a major city for me. I loved exploring the campus and town. Learning campus traditions and then being able to hand those down to my children, one of whom is now a Penn State alum. My time in graduate school was very important to me and a huge part of my work success.

You might be surprised to know that although a natural introvert, my greatest work experiences have been dealing with people outside of my company, especially as a recruiter at Penn State. Although not naturally comfortable for me, I find getting to know new people richly rewarding.

Words of wisdom to current students: Enjoy your college years. It’s a lot of work and can be stressful, but it’s supposed to be one of the most fun and rewarding periods of your life. Live in the moment and try not to always look to the next big step—you might miss something you’ll never be able to get back. When you graduate, you will join one of the greatest societies in the world—Penn State alumni. We are everywhere, even around the world, and you will always have something in common with those you meet.