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College of Natural Resources
Forest Biomaterials

Dale Midyette – Class of ’83

September 18, 2019
Dale Midyette

Dale Midyette graduated from NC State in 1983 with a degree in Pulp and Paper Science and Technology.  We reached out to Dale to find about his current career, and advice for current students.  Thanks for your time and sharing Dale !

Experiences at NC State

  • Internship/co-op experience: Summers 1981 and 1982 – Weyerhaeuser/Plymouth, NC. Pulp Technical Department, Summer 1983 – American Cyanamid/Mobile Alabama. Paper Chemicals Division, Southwest Region
  • Best memory at State: The Wolfpack winning the 1983 Basketball National Championship.
  • Worst memory at State: Anytime we lost to UNC in any sport.
  • Clubs/Hobbies: FarmHouse Fraternity, Student Senate and School of Forestry Council.
  • Favorite Class(s): A lot of great classes. Business Law was probably the one I enjoyed the most. Also, Dr. Cornell’s Pulp and Paper Unit Processes and Dr. Gratzl’s Wood and Pulping Chemistry. (I had transferred from being a Chemistry major and already had two semesters of organic chemistry for majors by the time I took Dr. Gratzl’s class.)
  • Favorite part of PSE Program: The PPT program was very practical and hands on. I had transferred from being a Chemistry Major which was much too theoretical for what I was looking for out of college.
  • Most important thing PSE taught me: The program at NC State taught me to do my homework, gather the right information to be a prepared as possible, then to do my best all the while being patient with other folks.

Current Career Information

  • Company/job position: Process Specialist and SME (subject matter expert)
  • Years at current job: since June 2018
  • Biggest accomplishment in your career: What I feel is the highlight of my career was the 2010 Conversion of the Plymouth NC5 paper machine to produce Fluff Pulp. It was great “going home” where I was an intern almost thirty years before, working with some great folks including other NC State PSE grads, and contributing in a project that was so pivotal to a great company and community.  I was recently inducted as a TAPPI Fellow which was a huge honor for me as I really appreciate how my involvement with the TAPPI organization has had such a positive affect on my career.Process Department, then the combined Process Department and served as Process Engineer, Process Section Manager, and Pulp and Paper Technology Group Leader before being designated as a Papermaking Process Specialist and Subject Mater Expert.
  • Favorite part of our current job: I enjoy meeting folks in the industry and keeping up with advancing technology. I also enjoy planning projects which improve productivity or quality and especially enjoy projects involving major paper machine rebuilds for producing new grades.

What other positions have you held

  • I was a Technical Service Representative for American Cyanamid, Intex, and Colloids Paper Chemical Companies from 1984-1987.
  • I joined CRS Sirrine Engineers Pulp and Paper Division as a Process Engineer in 1987. Sirrine was bought by Jacobs Engineering in 1984. I’ve remained associated with the Pulp and Paper Process Department, then the combined Process Department and served as Process Engineer, Process Section Manager, and Pulp and Paper Technology Group Leader before being designated as a Papermaking Process Specialist and Subject Mater Expert.

What is your advise for current students

  • You can make a positive difference in whatever community you are in, at any stage of your life. You will find tremendous satisfaction in putting others before yourself.

Personal Information

  • Hometown: Engelhard, NC
  • Family: I I married Pat right out of college and we began our family. I have three adult children: both daughters are Special Education Teachers, and my son is an IT Specialist after serving in the Marines.  I currently have three grandchildren and am fortunate that they all live nearby. .
  • Hobbies/interests: I am an elder in my church and enjoy spending time serving my congregation and the community. I’m a school mentor for a rising fourth grader and church coordinator for the Interfaith Hospitality Network where we team up with other congregations to provide living space to homeless families.
  • Any other comments: The paper industry has been a good one to me and my family over my career and I believe that there can be a good future for those just entering the field.