MARPG announces their 2025 Educational Symposium

Kulpsville, PA – The Mid Atlantic Rubber and Plastics Group (MARPG) announces that registration is now open for the special Joint Educational Symposium event bringing together MARPG and Lehigh University for a full day event on Tuesday, October 21, 2025.

The sympsium agenda is as follows. Starting on Tuesday, October 21, 2025, from 8:30 am – 5:00 pm. Doors Open at 8:30 am. Presentations begin at 9:00 am at Lehigh University, Iacocca Hall, 111 Research Dr, Bethlehem, PA, 18015

Cost:(in person) $80.00 per person MARPG Members, non-Members $85.00
Cost:(Remote-connection) $10.00 per person ACS/Rubber Division/MARPG members,
non-Members $15.00 per person.

Agenda
8:30 – 9:00 AM | Arrival, Light Breakfast & Registration
Check-in and casual networking over coffee and light breakfast
9:00 – 9:30 AM | Opening Remarks
Welcome by the Lehigh President Joseph Helble
Professor Raymond Pearson – Brief history and importance of the program’s 50-year milestone
Introduction to MARPG – Joe Martin Chairperson, Evan Silo Vice-Chairperson

9:30 – 12:00 PM | Symposium – Morning Sessions
9:30 – 10:10 AM: Mohamed El-Aasser – PSE Keynote morning session: Reflections on the history, key milestones, and future directions of polymer science and engineering
10:10 – 10:50 AM: Zach Zacharia – Follow The Molecule – How Today’s Supply Chain is Impacting the Elastomer and Plastics Industry
10:50 – 11:30 MA: Pat Carroll, Greene Tweed – Analytical Tools for Troubleshooting Elastomer Issues
11:30 – 11:45 AM: Recognition of the Contributions of Emeritus Members to MARPG
11:45 – 12:00: Introductions by MARPG Corporate Members “Elevator Speeches”

12:00 – 1:00 PM | Recognition Lunch & Networking – Catered Lunch
12:40 PM – Provost Nathan Urban: afternoon session opening remarks followed by PSE alumni and current students highlights video

1:00 – 3:30 PM | Symposium – Afternoon Sessions
1:00 – 1:40 PM: John Rogers from Northwestern in research and innovation – PSE keynote afternoon session
1:40 – 2:20 PM: ARDL – Failure Analysis
2:20 – 3:00 PM: MARPG TBD
3:00 – 3:40 PM – PSE – Alum speaker: Bridgitte Budhall – newly appointed Chair of the Plastics Engineering department at UMass Lowell
3:40 – 3:45 PM – closing remarks
3:45 – 4:00 | Coffee break, networking
4:00 – 5:00 PM | Retirement Celebration & Farewell Reception for Professor Raymond Pearson
Speeches (PSE alum)/toasts for the retiree (colleagues, students, friends)
Light refreshments, photos, mingling

Visit https://marpg.org/ for more information.