The Graduate Research Polymer Conference, held June 12-15, 1994 at Penn
State University, was highly successful and extremely well received.
The conference, sponsored by the Division of Polymer Chemistry and
co-sponsored by Division of Polymer Materials Science and Engineering,
had approx. 275 attendees.   The meeting consisted of 100 seminars and
60 posters presented by graduate students on diverse topics including
polymer synthesis, blends, characterization, mechanical properties,
processing, high performance polymers, surfaces, biomaterials, liquid
crystalline polymers and conducting polymers.  Five plenary lecturers
presented overviews of their respective areas, and experts in the field
of polymer science, from both academics and industry, acted as
moderators
during the student presentations.<P>

Aspects of the conference that the students particularly enjoyed include
the enthusiastic, less formal environment, the ability to compare with
peers, the networking opportunities, the high quality of lectures and
poster presentations, and the ability to interact with other students,
professors and industrial scientists.  The Penn State location was ideal

for this first conference.  Recommendations for improving the conference

were noted (housing accommodations, directions, location of parallel
sessions).