2018 ChemLuminary Award Winners
Congratulations to the 2018 ChemLuminary Award winners!
American Chemical Society
Award for Volunteer Service to the American Chemical Society
Carol A. Duane
For her passion and work in ACS volunteer efforts to empower members with the skills to lead within ACS, their workplace, and their community.
Committee on Public Relations and Communications
Helen M. Free Award for Public Outreach
Steven Murov
The 2018 Helen M. Free Award is presented to Steven Murov. Steven has presented chemistry shows for thousands of children to emphasize the fun, excitement and importance of science. He also organized hundreds of free community science presentations to improve science literacy in California’s Central Valley.
Outstanding Continuing Public Relations Program of a Local Section
Orange County Local Section
The Orange County Local Section provided the community with tangible examples of careers in -- and benefits of – chemistry. The section has hosted annual award programs for high school and college chemistry students and their families for over 48 years.
Best New Public Relations Program of a Local Section
Louisiana Local Section
The Louisiana Section hosted a Dr. Seuss STEM day at the Louisiana Children’s Museum. Volunteers in Dr. Seuss hats demonstrated experiments to show more than 700 visitors that chemistry is important and that chemists are regular people.
Women Chemists Committee
Best Overall WCC Local Section
East Central Illinois Local Section
The Women Chemists Committee of the East Central Illinois Local Section organized a “Bonding with Chemistry” day camp for middle school girls. The event promotes a diversity of topics, includes hand-on experiments, and highlights careers that encourage young women to think creatively about their futures.
Committee on Economic and Professional Affairs
Outstanding Local Section Career Program Award
Philadelphia and Princeton Local Sections
The pharmaceutical industry in the greater Princeton and Philadelphia area underwent changes in 2016 and 2017 that disrupted the careers of a significant portion of our membership. To address this issue and provide assistance to our members in this changing employment environment, the ACS Philadelphia and Princeton Sections co-hosted a Career Panel Discussion on non-traditional chemistry careers. The event took place on May 11, 2017 in Bowen Hall at Princeton University.
Younger Chemists Committee
Outstanding Local Section Younger Chemists Committee Award
East Central Illinois Local Section
The ACS East Central Illinois Local Section Younger Chemists' Committee included a cooking class and flavor lecture, industry tour to Millipore Sigma, coffee socials, a brewery tour, and helped organize the Second Annual Undergraduate Research Conference to name a few events.
Outstanding or Creative Local Section Younger Chemists Committee Event
Silicon Valley Local Section
The Silicon Valley Local Section partnered with the local section senior chemists committee to host a home brew competition at Golden State Brewery in Santa Clara, California.
Committee on Divisional Activities
Recognition of Innovation and Outstanding Service to Members of a Division
Division of Small Chemical Businesses
The Division of Small Chemical Businesses with financial support from a DAC Innovative Project Grant and funds from their budget, participated in 4 ACS Regional Meetings and Canadian Chemistry Society 100th Annual Meeting. The goal was to develop the Division’s membership. Programming with oral presentations and posters, Innovation Fair and Expo Booths, and networking events were all part of the outreach plan to meeting attendees and Small Chemical Businesses Division members.
Most Unique Project as Funded by a Division Innovative Project Grant
Division of Professional Relations
The Division of Professional Relations’ IPG Leaders led a team to host 2.5 days of NORM 2017 Innovation Track programming & events including the inaugural Innovation Fair as part of the Vendor Expo. They then extrapolated that success to the Fall 2017 National Meeting and Exposition where they also partnered with the Division of Small Chemical Businesses on a national Innovation Fair in the Exhibition that hosted 12 start-up companies & additional Innovation programming in Division of Business Development & Management and Division of Energy & Fuels. All under the 2017 Presidential Innovation Initiative.
Joint LSAC & DAC Award
Division of Polymer Chemistry and the New York Local Section
A three-day symposium entitled Journey to MARS was organized by the New York Local Section’s Chemical Marketing & Economics Group and the Division of Polymer Chemistry. 800 members attended the event, more than twice the Division of Polymer Chemistry symposium record of 350 attendees.
Society Committee on Education
Fostering Interactions Between Local Sections & Student Chapters
Kentucky Lake Local Section
The Kentucky Lake Local Section hosted children science centers that ran concurrent with a scientific presentation at each of their monthly meetings. Every student chapter (4 universities) within this section hosted at least one Science Center in 2017. Volunteers led children through activities and demos while discussing the chemistry behind the theme. The section had the opportunity to witness the growth of the student member volunteers as they became more confident in sharing their chemistry knowledge.
Outstanding U. S. National Chemistry Olympiad
Georgia Local Section
1044 students from 32 high schools participated in the competition, a 203% increase compared to previous years. A special tutorial session was offered via Google Hangout to help the finalists prepare for the National Exam competition.
Outstanding High School Student Program Award
Midland Local Section
The Midland local section developed and conducted programs at three high schools in two counties. In 2017, 13 classes learned about mixtures and emulsions with modified presentations and activities created for these groups.
Outstanding Kids & Chemistry Award
Greater Houston Local Section
In 2017, the Greater Houston local section sponsored and participated in 15 outreach events that provided STEM educational opportunities to local pre-college age children. Their efforts reached elementary, secondary, and high school students.
Committee on Project SEED
Outstanding Project SEED Program Award
New York Local Section
The New York Local Section had forty-eight participants and 18 of them presented at the Sci-Mix meeting in Washington DC. All participated at the Intel, New York Section High School, and Montclair Research poster competitions. One received the National SEED College scholarship.
Committee on Chemistry and Public Affairs
ACS President’s Award for Local Section Government Affairs
Northeastern Local section
The Northeastern Local Section Government Affairs Committee members organized science policy and advocacy training events and meetings with two Members of Congress, attended a US Senator’s town hall, and participated in the March for Science.
Leadership Advisory Board
Outstanding Leadership Development Program Award
Division of Energy & Fuels
The Energy & Fuels Division utilized a Strategic Planning Retreat to allow members to set aside self-interest to represent their members' needs and use data evaluation, listening, communication, negotiation, and consensus building skills to enhance their development as leaders.
Indiana Local Section
The Indiana Local Section provided members the opportunity to develop collaboration, communication, and innovation skills by brainstorming sessions in preparation for the 2023 ACS National Meeting that will be held in Indianapolis.
Corporation Associates
Outstanding Local Section Industry Event
South Jersey Local Section
The South Jersey Local Section, in partnership with the Committee on Technician Affairs, created a webinar to provide mid-career chemists information about non-Ph.D. industrial chemistry careers and the benefits of ACS Membership.
Committee on Technician Affairs
Best Event or Activity Organized by, or Benefiting, the Applied Chemical Technology Professional Community
Midland Local Section
The Mid-Michigan Technicians Group offered 16 events to benefit technicians in 2017. It offered three Lunch & Learn workshops, three social events for members and families, five networking opportunities, and five member-led volunteer opportunities.
Committee on Minority Affairs
Best Overall Local Section Minority Affairs Committee
Virginia Local Section
The Virginia Local Section held a two-day event that included a community fundraiser with featured a speaker from the "Hidden Figures" book and a summit for Minority Students in the area from Virginia Commonwealth University, Virginia Union University and Virginia State University. The event also featured career planning, the value of service and professional development.
Committee on International Activities
Global Engagement Award for International Chemical Sciences Chapters
JingJinJi International Chemical Sciences Chapter
Five prestigious Nobel Laureates shared their academic achievements at the Peiyang Nobel Symposium and The International Symposium on Visionary Trends in Molecular Science organized by Tianjin University in strategic partnership with the journals Nature and Science, and sponsored by world-renowned journals and institutes including the ACS.
Global Engagement Award for Local Sections
Midland Local Section
The Midland Local Section taught science and science education to nearly 50 participants over ten days in Guatemala. Clinics involved both teachers and children, including a teachers-only event at the University of Guatemala Altiplano.
Global Engagement Award for Technical Divisions
Division of Small Chemical Businesses
The Division of Small Chemical Businesses participated in the Canadian Chemistry Society 100th Annual Meeting with the goal of developing the Division’s membership. Programming included: oral presentations and posters, an Innovation Fair and Expo Booths, and networking events.
Senior Chemists Committee
Most Innovative Activity in a Local Section for Senior Chemists
Central Texas Local Section
The Central Texas Centennial Celebration included a poster session, banquet, and presentations by senior chemists, guests from ACS Governance and the CEO of Gordon Conferences. Section history and the influence of notable chemists were featured. A lively poster session highlighted research, chemistry history, student organizations, and section activities. Students from Texas State University’s Journalism Department produced a professional quality film. Grants from the Senior Chemists Committee, the Local Section Activities Committee, and local industry provided support for the event.
Best Ongoing Senior Activity in a Local Section that Benefits the Community, Local Schools, or Legislative Government
Minnesota Local Section
The Minnesota Local Section Senior Chemists group had a successful year. Bi-monthly lunch meetings were held at a local restaurant, and included a short talk or a discussion. One discussion focused on “The Education of Chemists.” At a special Holiday Lunch held in December 2017, there were two book reviews of science-related books, as well as books for prizes. Tours included the Public Television Studios in St. Paul, the 3M Innovation Center in Maplewood, and the undergraduate research labs at the University of St. Thomas.
Committee on Meetings & Expositions
Outstanding Regional Meeting
2016 Northwest Regional Meeting
The 71st meeting of the Northwest Region of the American Chemical Society, NORM2016, was hosted by the Alaska Local Section in Anchorage, AK. State of the art chemical information was a keystone of the conference and participants from around the world participated in multidisciplinary and inclusive plenary lectures, oral/poster presentations, and professional development workshops.
Committee on Community Activities
Best NCW Event Organized by a Student Group
South Florida Local Section
The South Florida Local Section annually invites section members and families to the Ft Lauderdale Museum of Discovery and Science where student chapters present chemistry demonstrations and hands-on activities for children and parents at the museum.
Most Creative & Innovative Use of the CCED Theme
Midland Local Section
A three-location Earth Day event was held. Chippewa Nature Center, Midland Recyclers and Creative 360 all sponsored interactive events. There were garden tours and food testing activities, which showcased high-protein insects as food.
Most Creative NCW Celebration Using the Yearly Theme
Virginia Local Section
The Virginia Local Section’s celebration of NCW was held at the Science Museum of Virginia focusing on fun rock-filled themed activities. More than 780 children and adults attended the event, which included 60 area chemists, professors from colleges and universities, student volunteers that showed attendees how chemistry is involved in fossils, geology and environmental sciences.
Outstanding Community Involvement in CCED
Chicago Local Section
The Chicago Local Section helped shape and participated in one of the largest March for Science satellite rallies and hosted a table in the post-March exposition. Hundreds of people interacted with the Chicago Local Section through their “ask a chemist” station, viewing which the chemistry companies were closest to their homes, and receiving Chemists Celebrate Earth Day and other outreach materials.
Outstanding Community Involvement in NCW
Pittsburgh Local Section
For the 19th consecutive year the Pittsburgh Local Section’s National Chemistry Week/ChemFest celebration was held at the Carnegie Science Center. The event featured the theme “Chemistry Rocks!” and major sponsors for the event included the Society for Analytical Chemists of Pittsburgh, the Spectroscopy Society of Pittsburgh, PPG Foundation, and the PPG Science Education Council.
Outstanding NCW Event for a Specific Audience
Binghamton Local Section
The Binghamton Local Section conducted a teacher’s workshop on hands-on classroom activities based on the NCW theme Chemistry Rocks! Fourteen teachers from 10 different local schools teaching grades K through 12 attended the 3-hour workshop.
Outstanding Ongoing CCED Event
Northeastern Local Section
An outreach event at the Boston Museum of Science featured nearly 500 attendees, 75 educators, and 15 activities. Activities included investigating the chemistry of gum, milk, and soap, measuring the E-factor of M&Ms, making cabbage juice pH indicator, and much more.
Outstanding Ongoing NCW Event
New York Local Section
The 30th Annual National Chemistry Week celebration was held at the New York Hall of Science. The theme of 'Chemistry Rocks' inspired the student members to be creative in developing innovative hands-on demonstrations for the children attending.
Outstanding Public Outreach Event Organized by a Student Group
North Jersey Local Section
The Fair for Emerging Researchers was aimed at introducing middle-school students to the scientific method. A science fair was held on Drew University’s campus and 125 students presented 80 projects, which were judged by faculty and staff. Top projects were awarded scholarship prizes.
Committee on Local Section Activities
Best Activity or Program in a Local Section Stimulating Membership Involvement
Midland Local Section
The Midland Local Section’s ACS Day at the Fair offered discounted ride bands to members and their families to be used during the week of the fair. The Section rented the picnic building and offered a fun afternoon with free food and networking. Fun hands-on science experiments were also offered at this event.
Local Section Partnership Award
Indiana Local Section
Music and Chemistry in Perfect Harmony was held at the University of Indiana’s Fine Arts Center in conjunction with the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra. The event included a networking reception, two lectures and a hands-on instrument experience for attendees.
Most Innovative New Activity or Program
Toledo Local Section
The Toledo local section celebrated the culmination of their centennial anniversary with a beautiful Oh Chemis-tree, Oh Chemis-tree display at the Wildwood Preserve Metropark Manor House. Over 29,000 visitors viewed the chemistry themed display over a 16-day period.
Outstanding Performance by a Local Section – Small Size Category Award
Kentucky Lake Local Section
The Kentucky Lake Local Section held a number of events designed to appeal to students, academic and industrial members and our surrounding communities. Program highlights included children’s science center activities, a Nobel Prize Gala, and National Chemistry Week and Earth Day activities to name just a few.
Outstanding Performance by a Local Section – Medium Small Size Category Award
Savannah River Local Section
The Savannah River Section had an incredible 2017 with 23 events held throughout the year. A wide range of activities focusing on educational outreach, environmental awareness, member networking, collaboration and celebrating member achievements were hallmarks of a successful year.
Outstanding Performance by a Local Section – Medium Size Category Award
Midland Local Section
The Midland local section hosted over 100 events, focusing on key areas of outreach to students and the general community. The section provided high quality scientific programming while sponsoring events and initiatives to support affinity groups such as the Young Researchers Committee, the Senior Chemists, and the Mid-Michigan Technicians Group.
Outstanding Performance by a Local Section – Medium Large Size Category Award
Indiana Local Section
Throughout 2017, the Indiana Local Section put chemistry in the spotlight by promoting chemistry through a wide range of community outreach events. The section maximized their impact through active partnerships and participation in several statewide science based events.
Outstanding Performance by a Local Section – Large Size Category Award
San Diego Local Section
Chemistry Everywhere! was the theme for the San Diego local section in 2017. The year was full of events, outreach, and education. The section proudly represented ACS members in southern California, by proudly carrying the banner for chemistry in their community!
Outstanding Performance by a Local Section – Very Large Size Category Award
New York Local Section
Volunteers from the New York local section and its student chapters poured their efforts into organizing over 110 events ranging from traditional evening seminars to symposia at the ACS meetings. The section also engaged in innovative social media efforts to connect section member and student chapters via Facebook.
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