NIU chemistry professor David Piatak has been lobbying since 1989 to have scinetist Percy Julian honored on a U.S. postage satmp.

On Jan. 29, Piatak’s efforts paid off. The new 29-cent Julian commemorative stamp goes on sale nationally after a first-day-of-issue ceremony at Roosevelt University in Chicago. Piatak has been asked to be among speakers at the event, which also will include remarks by Julian’s son, Percy Lavon Julian Jr.

Julian, along with George Washingtoon Carver, was inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame. The two were the first African-Americans to be given that honor.

Piatak said he belives this is a very high honor for his former colleague.

“Elvis Presley is fine for a stamp, but I feel scientists and educators also should be soncisdered,” Piatak said. “Very few scientists ahve been on U.S. stamps. I was on cloud nine when I first heard that the stamp had been approved. It blew my mind. I figured it would take another year or two.”

The multicolored Julian stamp, the 16th in the U.S. Postal Service’s Black Heritage series, is being issued just in time for Black History Month which begins Monday.

According to Linn’s Stamp News, the text on the margin of each 50-stamp sheet states: “Percy Julian (1899-1975) was a distinguished scientist and chemical researcher. His synthesis of cortisone for arthritis, a drug for glaucoma and synthesis of progesterone won acclaim. In 1990, Dr. Julian was inducted into the prestigious National Inventors Hall of Fame.”

As a member of NIU’s governing board, the Board of Regents, Julian spoke to classes and organized a regional symposium for chemists.

From 1936 to 1953 he worked for the Glidden Paint Co. in Chicago as a researcher and later as director of research for the soya products division.

After leaving Glidden, Julian established his own lab in Franklin Park and a pharmaceuticals firm with branches in Guatemala and Mexico.

Piatak speaks very highly of Julian’s achievements.

“Altogether Julian held more than 100 oatents, some employing soy proteins to fight petroleum fires, for which he has been credited with saving many lives, and others used in the manufacture of paper.”

Now, Piatak would like to see the new chemistry and physics building under construction named in honor of his late friend.