U.S. commissioner of patents and trademarks
Donald W. Banner, who earned a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering in 1948, pursued his education with the assistance of the GI Bill. At the young age of 19, Banner served as a fighter pilot and was shot down over Europe, enduring the hardships of being a prisoner of war until the end of World War II in 1945. After completing his undergraduate studies at Purdue, Banner earned a JD degree at the University of Detroit, as well as a Master of Patent Law and a Doctorate of Law at the John Marshall School of Law. A successful patent attorney, Banner was admitted to practice before the Supreme Court and served for 15 years as Borg-Warner’s general patent counsel. In 1972, he was appointed U.S. commissioner of patents and trademarks, and as chairman of the American Bar Association's Patent, Trademark, and Copyright Law section. Banner received a Jefferson Medal in 1984 for his contributions to patent, trademark and copyright laws, and Purdue presented him with an Outstanding Electrical Engineer Award in 1994.