FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | July 29, 2009

American Chemical Society announces first class of “Fellows”

WASHINGTON, July 29, 2009 — The American Chemical Society has announced its inaugural class of 162 ACS Fellows to be honored for their professional contributions to the chemical sciences as well as their outstanding service to the Society. Fifteen living recipients of the Society’s highest award, the Priestley Medal, were automatically inducted as ACS Fellows and are included in the total count.

The program, approved in 2008, was established to “honor those members who have contributed in two defined areas — namely, excellence in Science/Profession and Outstanding Service to ACS,” said ACS Immediate Past-President Bruce F. Bursten, Ph.D., Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Dr. Bursten, who spearheaded the program, said the “Fellows” honor differs from other ACS national awards in that it requires excellence in multiple activities.

In announcing the new program, ACS officials said the Society wanted to honor members’ professional accomplishments and to be in keeping with the long term ACS goal of “being the most effective global scientific community to engage members and other scientific professionals to advance science, education, research, knowledge, interaction, and collaboration.”

Each Fellow will be presented with a lapel pin and certificate in a ceremony to be held on Monday, Aug. 17, during the ACS 238th National Meeting in Washington, D.C.  A complete listing of all ACS Fellows is available at http://www.cen-online.org/acsnews/87/8730acs.html.

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