In the beginning…
Dr. Thames earned a B.S. and Master’s
degrees in Chemistry in 1959 and 1961, respectively, from the School
of Arts and Sciences of Mississippi Southern College. In 1962
during Dr. Thames’ first year of graduate studies at the University
of Tennessee, Mississippi Southern College was renamed The University
of Southern Mississippi (Southern Miss). When Dr. Thames
graduated from Tennessee in 1964 with a Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry, he
returned to Southern Miss as an Assistant Professor of Chemistry.
Dr. Thames’ interest in polymer
science began in 1964 during his association and work with Dr. J. Scott
Long, a nationally renowned scientist in coatings, and the director of
the Pan American Tung Research and Development League (PATRDL).
The first laboratory of the PATRDL was located in the Southern
Miss George Hurst Building. Dr. Thames’ credits Dr. Long and
PATRDL officers, Dr. Eugene Potter and Mr. Win Warren, for their
crucial support that allowed his research group to establish a
reputation in polymer science. Indeed, funding from the league
supported many of the early chemistry programs at Southern Miss.
It occurred to Dr. Thames at the time that no other educational
institution had developed an undergraduate polymer science curriculum
and corresponding degree program, and he set out to gain this
distinction for Southern Miss. In 1969, he persuaded Drs. W. D.
McCain, then President of the University, and Charles Moorman, Dean of
the College of Arts and Sciences, to approve his request to form the
Department of Polymer Science. Dr. Thames served as the first
Polymer Science Department Chair for one year. The new
Department was officially designated on September 1, 1970.
Dr. Thames taught four courses,
conducted labs, and continued his research during the initial
year. The Department's undergraduate enrollment increased to over
30 by the fall of 1975. In 1973, the Department began offering
degree programs at both the master's and doctoral levels, and in less
than 15 years, it gained national and international recognition for
both its educational and research programs.
In 1970, Dr. Thames was named Dean of
the College of Science, an outgrowth of the reorganization of the
College of Arts and Sciences. In 1973 during Dr. Thames’ tenure
as Dean of the College, he initiated the formation of several
technology degree programs and a name change from the College of
Science to the College of Science and Technology, to better reflect the
In 1991, the Department moved into the newly
constructed Polymer Science Research Center. Today, the Center,
named the Shelby Freland Thames Polymer Science Research Center,
is 104,000 sq. ft. and equipped with state-of-the-art
instrumentation. Together, the assets total more than $30
In 1999, Dr. Thames was instrumental
in the Department’s elevation to the School of Polymers and High
Performance Materials, which more fully describes the broad
capabilities and faculty expertise.
Dr. Thames has served his beloved
University in several capacities while maintaining his research.
In the latest position, he served as the University President from
2002-2007. In 2007, he returned to his role as the Distinguished
University Research Professor in Polymer Science and Engineering.
James W. Rawlins earned his B.S. in Polymer Science in 1993 and his
Ph.D. in Polymer Science and Engineering in 1999 from The University of
Southern Mississippi under the direction of Dr. Thames. Upon
graduation, he worked in industry for 5 years. In June 2004, he
returned to his alma mater to direct the Thames Research Group, and in
August of the same year, joined the School of Polymers and High
Performance Materials as an Assistant Professor. He continued
directing the Thames Research Group, however, it was renamed the
Thames-Rawlins Research Group to more accurately reflect the
collaborative effort. Both professors’ research focuses on the
utilization of biobased raw materials synthesis, characterization, and
structure-property relationships for protective, decorative, and
functional materials. Dr. Rawlins, however, expanded his focus
into research and development of functional films in several exciting
areas: chemical and biological warfare agent self-decontaminating
films, light emitting thin films, polymer photovoltaic materials for
solar cell applications, and self-healing materials for a variety of
Together, the Thames-Rawlins Research
Group supports the coatings industry in problem solving, testing,
evaluation, formulations, long- or short-term contracts, research and
development, and technology reduction-to-practice.