Submitted by TOLEDO LOCAL SECTION OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY
The Toledo Local section of the American Chemical Society (ACS) celebrated their centennial during a Chem-tennial Banquet on Saturday, November 11, 2017, at the Radisson Hotel at the University of Toledo with nearly 70 chemists and friends. The key note speaker was the esteemed, Toledo native, and former DuPont executive, Dr. Tom Connelly, Jr., Executive Director and CEO of the American Chemical Society.
The Toledo Section of ACS (includes the NW OHIO counties of Fulton, Henry, Lucas, Ottawa, Sandusky, Seneca and Wood; plus Lenawee County in SW Michigan) has existed since the charter was signed on April 10, 1917. A 100th Anniversary Proclamation, signed by current ACS President Allison Campbell, Ph.D. and 2015 ACS President Diane G. Schmidt, Ph.D., was presented to members of the section by ACS District 2 Director Dr. Christine Bodurow of Indianapolis. In addition, two awards were presented. Dr. Andy Jorgensen, retired Associate Professor of Chemistry & Biochemistry at University of Toledo, received an ACS Salute to Excellence Award for his commitment to improving the public’s perceptions of chemistry by serving as a Climate Chemistry Educator/Ambassador (presenting over 170 invited talks) and serving as Section Councilor for nearly 18 years.
The Northwest Ohio Center for Excellence in STEM Education at Bowling Green State University was also honored with an ACS Salute to Excellence Award for their commitment to improving the public’s perceptions of CHEMISTRY and other STEM fields by organizing and hosting the largest free, family-fun, hands-on STEM in THE Park event at Bowling Green State University for all of NWOhio and Southeastern Michigan. Associate Provost of BGSU, Dr. Bob Midden accepted the honor on behalf of all who work to bring STEM-in-the-PARK to our community every September.
The Toledo Section ACS supports a positive reaction to chemistry in our community by offering a multitude of different outreach events throughout the year to engage the public’s awareness of the benefits of chemistry in their lives and community and to increase science literacy. In 2017 alone, Toledo Section ACS provided free chemistry outreach activities to over 2000 youth and adults.
In a final celebration of our Chem-tennial year, Toledo Section ACS is decorating a room in the Manor House at Wildwood Preserve Metropark. Oh Chemis-tree, Oh Chemis-tree will be part of the Holidays at the Manor House, which runs this year from Dec 2 – Dec 17 10 am to 8 pm.
