Dr. Wrighton has more than 28 years of leadership experience overseeing large research universities. He currently serves as interim president of George Washington University, on sabbatical from his position as professor and chancellor emeritus of Washington University in St. Louis where he served 24 years as the chief executive officer and 14 years as chancellor. Before joining Washington University in St. Louis, 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 in St. Louis 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 Board of Azenta, Inc. (formerly known as Brooks Automation, Inc.).
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
- Significant public company board experience