Unless you’re majoring in science, the American Chemical Society probably sounds a bit foreign to you. Nonetheless, I’d like to announce the recent acclaim which Gordon’s very own student chapter of the American Chemical Society has received, for it furthers our school’s renowned strides in sustainability. The chapter was revived last year, 2010, after an eleven-year hiatus, a feat for which we owe Dr. Joel Boyd much of the credit. Yet after only a year it has been making impressive advances in achieving its goals and making a difference.
We are proud to announce the following to Gordon’s community: The American Chemical Society has awarded Gordon College’s student chapter the Commendable Chapter Award for the 2010-2011 school year. This is a huge accomplishment for our first year as a reestablished club, as it is the second highest award given by the American Chemical Society to student chapters.
We have also been selected as a Green Chemistry Chapter as a result of our green chemistry initiatives throughout the year. These initiatives include conducting hands-on chemistry laboratory experiments with home-schooled students, hosting speakers in the field to hold lectures at Gordon, and participating in the Green Chemistry Networking Forum at MIT in December 2010.
Due to these achievements, our club will be recognized at the National American Chemical Society Meeting in San Diego, California this March. Not only will we be awarded these honors there, but six Gordon students will be presenting original research as well.
In the past year, we’ve established relationships with a high school tutoring program in Lynn, assisted homeschooled students in hands on laboratory experiments, and begun work towards an endowed scholarship available to freshman chemistry students through a successful fundraiser. We are very proud of the advancements this reinstated club has accomplished, and wanted to share these developments with the Gordon College community.
Gordon College is on the forefront of the green chemistry movement in the nation, thanks to the leadership of our very own Professor Irv Levy. It took the dedication and hard work of our officers and members alike to reach this point, and for that, we are honored to uphold Gordon’s esteemed position in green chemistry.
