A year to remember
Michael P. Duncan | TLT President's Report May 2020
STLE’s mission will continue to move forward during these unprecedented times.
Mike Duncan with STLE European Representative Manfred Jungk outside of Bosch headquarters in Germany. Duncan was there on a corporate visit while attending the 22nd International Colloquium Tribology (TAE) conference at Technische Akademie Esslingen.
I recently read an article on the Spanish Flu epidemic of 1918. It was the deadliest pandemic in history, infecting an estimated 500 million people worldwide (about one-third of the planet’s population) and killing an estimated 20-50 million victims. Some of the lessons learned during this pandemic were (1.) don’t name the epidemic after a country, (2.) governments need to act quickly in the beginning (don’t be complacent), warn the public and tell the truth, (3.) uncontrolled movement can lead to tragic outcomes, and (4.) the potential for a second wave to strike exists.*
The COVID-19 outbreak has turned most of our lives upside down. Who could have predicted that schools, businesses, restaurants, churches, hotels, airports, concerts and sporting events would be shut down globally?
My thoughts and prayers go out to those affected by this pandemic, and many thanks to those working on the front lines in hospitals and clinics worldwide. I certainly pray that a vaccine or drug can be developed quickly to combat this illness. I also want to acknowledge many of our STLE member companies who have donated medical supplies and hand sanitizers to these medical facilities. In addition, thanks to our end-user companies who are assisting in the production of respirators and ventilators.
We are in some strange and uncharted waters. In early March, I was making a presentation to the STLE Lower Ohio River Valley section in Indianapolis. We had three different types of hand sanitizers on the table and were practicing “no handshake greetings.” Within days, counties in California went into lockdown, states went into “shelter-in-place,” country borders were closed, countries went into lockdown. Every day since something new and unexpected has happened.
I never imagined as STLE president that I would have to even consider postponing or cancelling our annual meeting. As the COVID-19 outbreak continued to escalate around the world, it soon became painfully obvious that we needed to cancel the annual meeting to ensure the safety of our members and attendees.
STLE Executive Director Ed Salek reminded me that the first annual meeting was cancelled 75 years ago because of World War II. Ironic that it also was being held in Chicago.
This is my last president’s column, and it was supposed to come out during the 75th STLE Annual Meeting & Exhibition. It was going to be about how much I enjoyed the ride, visiting with 8 local sections, making presentations in Japan, Germany and ending in Chicago. How things change, as I was only able to make it to 5 local section meetings before the global pandemic went into full force.
These are somber times, though, and it is more important for you to know that STLE will survive this and we have plans to continue business, as usual, when it is safe to do so. Until then, we have stepped up our approach of providing additional online learning resources such as offering recorded webinars to members, links to educational materials on our Learning Pathways library, certification programs, and the release of the 2020 STLE Emerging Trends Report.
In these tumultuous and unprecedented times, I would like to thank Ed and our headquarters staff for the support, keeping faith and carrying on without hesitancy. In addition, the guidance and support I received from the Executive Committee and the Board of Directors during this time was incredible. Also, behind the scenes are all the committees and hundreds of volunteers (including our 75th Anniversary team) who continue to surprise and inspire me. Thank you for your efforts to keep the Society going. Finally, thanks to my family and Daubert Chemical Co. for allowing me to take on this added responsibility.
STLE will be in good hands with 2020-2021 President Paul Hetherington (Petro-Canada Lubricants). He has a passion for education and will be a great leader for the Society.
My last note is to the STLE Past Presidents. I can now appreciate all the work that you have done (and many continue to be very active volunteers today). Thank you for your previous and continued service to make STLE the premier technical society it is today!
Stay safe, keep well and remain calm. STLE and the world will get thru this. And as Gene Kranz (Apollo 13) said, “With all due respect, sir, I believe this is gonna be our finest hour.”
*
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/mar/03/four-lessons-the-spanish-flu-can-teach-us-about-coronavirus.
Mike Duncan is executive vice president of technology of Daubert Chemical Co. in Chicago. You can reach him at mduncan@daubert.com.