Getting to know George Kriz

Title: Professor of chemistry, director of advising for pre-healthcare professions

Hobbies: Music. George sings in the bass section of the Whatcom Chorale and is a Seattle Opera season ticket holder. He also enjoys golf and baseball.

Favorite quote: “There are three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies and statistics.” – British Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli (the quote was popularized in the United States by Mark Twain).

Favorite restaurant: Milano’s in Glacier

Favorite Bellingham location: Boundary Bay Brewery

Memorable vacation: 1999 cruise to Alaska, where the family enjoyed a train ride to Denali and a flight around Mount McKinley. Another, a “where were you when it happened?” moment, was in Lake Tahoe in August 1997, when, sitting in a hot tub, Kriz learned of Princess Diana’s death.

Favorite WWU memory: George can’t pick just one, but many involved pranks—He’s pulled a few on others, and he's has been on the receiving end a time or two, too.

Greatest accomplishment: His children. Another significant moment was in 2002 at Western, when he served as general chair of the 17th Biennial Conference on Chemical Education for 2001-2002, the world’s largest gathering of chemical educators.

Favorite movie: “The Blues Brothers”

Currently reading: “Shades of Grey” by Jasper Fforde

Awards/recognitions: 2000 Peter J. Elich Excellence in Teaching Award, 2010 Distinguished Service Award from the Division of Chemical Education of the American Chemical Society