Dr. Wrighton has more than 26 years of leadership experience overseeing large research universities. He was elected chancellor of Washington University in St. Louis, a major research university in 1995, and served as its chief executive officer for 24 years. Before joining Washington University, he was a researcher and professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where he was head of the Department of Chemistry from 1987 to 1990, and then provost from 1990 to 1995. Dr. Wrighton served as a presidential appointee to the National Science Board from 2000 to 2006. He is also a past chair of the Association of American Universities, the Business Higher Education Forum, and the Consortium on Financing Higher Education. He was elected to membership in the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and the American Philosophical Society, and he is a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science.
Dr. Wrighton is a professor, chemist and research scientist with expertise in materials and research interests in the areas of transition metal catalysis, molecular electronics, and photoprocesses at electrodes. He also has expertise in areas of direct relevance to Corning, including materials chemistry, photochemistry, surface chemistry, and life sciences. Under Dr. Wrighton’s executive and fiscal leadership, Washington University has grown significantly in academic stature, research enterprise, infrastructure, student quality, curriculum and international reputation. Dr. Wrighton brings to the Board his vast scientific knowledge and understanding of complex research and development issues.
Dr. Wrighton has been a director since 2009. He currently serves on the Boards of Brooks Automation, Inc. and Cabot Corporation.
Skills and Qualifications
- Deep knowledge in areas of direct relevance to Corning, including materials chemistry, photochemistry, surface chemistry and life sciences
- Executive leadership experience, including finance and audit experience
- Extensive experience leading institutions with research and development focus
- Significant public company board experience