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Chemistry Student Group Wins National Awards

February 02, 2016

Angelo State University’s student chapter of the American Chemical Society (ACS) has received an Outstanding Award from the national ACS Committee on Education for the chapter’s activities during the 2014–15 academic year.

ACS Chemistry for Life The Outstanding Award is the highest possible recognition for a student chapter and is based on a chapter’s programs and activities. This marks the 11th straight year the ASU chapter has received a year-end award from the national ACS, and the Outstanding Award is the first for the ASU chapter following eight Commendable Awards and two Honorable Mention Awards. Only 55 chapters received a 2014–15 Outstanding Award. 

ACS Green Chemistry Institute Additionally, for the fifth straight year, the ASU chapter has received a Green Chemistry Award for outreach activities from the national ACS. Only 43 chapters received a Green Chemistry Award for 2014–15. 

The ASU chapter and other award-winning chapters will be honored at the 251st ACS National Meeting on March 13 in San Diego, Calif. A list of the award-winning chapters has already been published in Chemical & Engineering News and the in Chemistry student magazine. 

For its Outstanding Award, the ASU chapter was recognized for its participation in chemistry outreach activities, attendance at national meetings, and fundraising and social events. Chapter members annually take part in ASU Science Days, Mole Day, Earth Day and National Chemistry Week activities. They also conduct a campus speaker program, have regular fundraising events, and frequently include local and area high school students in their activities. Members also present their research at various organizational meetings, including the national ACS and Texas Academy of Science. 

For its Green Chemistry Award, the ASU chapter was recognized for its participation in at least three green chemistry activities during the 2014–15 academic year. “Green Chemistry” is a movement that encourages the design of processes that reduce the usage of hazardous or environmentally unfriendly substances, advancing the idea of sustainability in the chemical industry and in research. 

Faculty sponsors for ASU’s student chapter are Dr. Edith Osborne, associate professor of chemistry, and Kevin Boudreaux, senior instructor of chemistry. Chapter president is Blake Holle, a junior chemistry/biochemistry major from Ballinger. 

ACS is the world’s largest scientific society. It is a nonprofit organization chartered by the U.S. Congress, and is a global leader in providing access to chemistry-related research through its multiple databases, peer-reviewed journals and scientific conferences. Its main offices are in Washington, D.C., and Columbus, Ohio.