
State Microscopical Society of Illinois Awards Dinner
Wednesday, Sept. 21, 6:00 – 8:30 p.m.
Connie’s Italian Restaurant, 2373 S. Archer Ave., Chicago. Free Parking
6:00 – 6:30 p.m. Social hour, sponsored by Cargille Labs
6:30 – 7:30 p.m. Family-style Italian dinner and drinks
7:30 – 8:30 p.m. Award announcement and presentations, photomicrography contest results
Join Inter/Micro and the State Microscopical Society of Illinois (SMSI) as they honor Walter J. Rantanen with the 2022 August Köhler Award. Due to a previous commitment, Mr. Rantanen will not be attending the awards dinner this year; it is expected that he will receive his award in person at a future date.
Walter Rantanen is Technical Leader of the Fiber Lab at SGS-Integrated Paper Services. He holds a B.S. in Wood Products Engineering with an emphasis on wood anatomy from SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry, Syracuse, NY. He has more than 30 years of experience conducting paper fiber analysis courses through his association with SGS-IPS and The Institute of Paper Chemistry.
Nicholas Petraco Sr., will give his 2020 Köhler Award acceptance speech, which he was unable to present due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
About Connie’s Restaurant: In 1963, Jim Stolfe traded his Oldsmobile Starfire for a small storefront pizzeria on the South Side of Chicago. He “set the table” for a pizza and Italian restaurant that would become a part of Chicago’s history. Family owned and operated for nearly 60 years, located in Chicago’s Bridgeport neighborhood, Connie’s flavorful Italian fare, award-winning pizza, and 1800s warehouse style design has made it a staple for Chicagoans and out-of-town visitors alike.