May 2021, Vol. 11(5)

Annual Awards Gathering held

On Monday, May 10 at 7 p.m. we were delighted to have students, teachers and long-term ACS members join us via ZOOM for our annual Awards Gathering. Despite the difficulties experienced during the pandemic, faculty in our local educational institutions were pleased to recognize an outstanding HS Chemistry student (each of the 35 HS Chemistry
teachers in our KACS area was invited to nominate one outstanding student), an outstanding graduating senior from each of our two 4-year colleges, and as a section we were happy to recognize 8 long-term ACS members!

It was a distnct pleasure to honor all these individuals: to be inspired from our seasoned chemists’ experiences, and to hear from our younger awardees about future plans in their journeys forward.

We thank the following members for their contributions to our profession over the years:

• 50-year ACS members Richard Davison and Alexander Hanchar
• 60-year ACS members David Duchamp, Marvin Grostc, Gene Heasley, Edward Hessler, Frederick Kauffman and Steve Miszak

And we offer our heartfelt congratulations and best wishes to the following students as they continue in their chosen future undertakings:

• Kalamazoo College: Subi Thakali
• Western Michigan University: Jamin Willoughby
• Gull Lake HS (Peter SantaMaria): Kara Wesley
• Hacket Catholic Prep (Amy Johnston): Alex Goscenski
• KAMSC (Claudia Wit-Thomas): Samuel Rabick
• Kalamazoo Christan HS (Al Nieboer): Evan Triemstra
• Portage Central HS (Jon Taylor): Liam Roehr
• Portage Northern HS (Michelle Mason): Courtney Lennon

Just to give you a sense of how rewarding a career can be when you commit to do well in what you find interesting, below is a short description given by a recent retiree: “I am grateful that a love of chemistry turned into a rewarding, challenging career. There wasn’t a plan; I just did things I found interesting and challenging. It is what got me to graduate school, into the research group I joined, and what I was able to do during my career. I am grateful for all the wonderful people I got to work with, and that my workplace provided me the flexibility to volunteer with the ACS. It is something I will continue.”

WMU Chemistry Club Honors Graduating Seniors

We are pleased to announce the graduation of the following WMU senior chemistry and related-field majors,       whom the WMU Chemistry Club has recognized for their service.

Each of the students has received an ACS Graduation Cord through funds provided by KACS.

• Jerome Davis              
• Lauren Donnellon
• Doug Johnson             
• Makenzie Kuhns
• Lindsey Parish
• Andrew Simpkins

The following graduates kindly sent us additional information about themselves:

• Jerome (Warren, MI–Cousino High School) plans to work in industry after graduation. His favorite chemistry class at WMU was Organic Chemistry 1. He especially enjoyed participating in the intercollegiate “Battle of the Chemistry Clubs,” sponsored by Michigan State. Jerome adds, “There were about 10 chem clubs from different colleges there. It was a good bonding experience for us and a great way to socialize with others in similar situations……The day was rigged though, there’s no way we shouldn’t have been in the top 3 with our collective scores and the way we competed.”
• Makenzie (Niles, MI–Niles High School) plans to return to the classroom as a high school chemistry teacher. Her favorite WMU chemistry classes were Organic Chemistry (1 & 2). She also enjoyed the Battle of the Chemistry Clubs and told us, “This was the first time I really enjoyed chemistry and was able to get to know the other chemistry club members. My friend and I participated in the event ‘weighted questions’ where they set up an obstacle course. I needed to lead her through blindfolded and answer questions about molecular masses. It was chaotic and a HUGE fail. At the end they gave awards for various categories. One of the categories was ‘Worst at Weighted Questions.’ As  a competitive person, I have never cheered more to lose in that category. Overall, it was  the highlight of my chemistry experience in college.”
• Andrew (Michigan Center, MI–Michigan Center High School) plans to work in industry after graduation. His favorite chemistry class at WMU was Organic Chemistry 2. Andrew remembers his participation in the ‘STEAM project’ and added, “We used a mass spectrometer to determine what was in our sample, and then watched artists turn our results into art/music. It showed me that chemistry can be used for more than just mixing things together and seeing what happens!”

KACS appreciates our longstanding collaboration with the WMU Chemistry Club. We wish these graduates success in their future endeavors. Congratulations!

Free “Chemical Safety and Risk Management” Course Offered

The ACS Office of Safety Programs is offering a “Foundations of Chemical Safety and Risk Management” free online course that’s open to all. The target audience is undergraduate chemistry students who have completed two semesters of general chemistry and one semester of organic  chemistry, but anyone who wants to increase their knowledge about risk-based chemical safety can sign up.

The course incorporates learning objectives from the “Guidelines  for Chemical Laboratory Safety” published by the ACS Committee on Chemical Safety (CCS) and the ACS Committee on Professional Training (CPT), and is based on  the principles of RAMP: Recognize hazards, Assess the risks from the hazards, Minimize and  manage the risks, and Prepare for the unexpected and emergencies.

The self-paced course includes 17 units and takes approximately 15 hours to complete. Participants will learn the components of a strong safety culture, how to recognize hazards in the laboratory, methods to minimize hazards and risks, processes needed to plan for emergencies, and how to apply the principles of RAMP to laboratory operations. Attendees will receive a  certificate. For complete course details and  online  enrollment, visit the Safety Programs website, or email safety@acs.org.

WMU Chemistry Club Virtual Visits Across Michigan

By Sydney Collins
WMU Chemistry Club President

elements in nature, catalysts, pressure and temperature relationships, and heat and energy in reactions. These are very big topics for such young students; however, with the help of these visuals along with age-appropriate explanations, we were able to help these young chemists get a grasp on some of these advanced concepts.

Chemistry Club represents KACS at Portage Green-a-Thon

By Sydney Collins
WMU Chemistry Club President

KACS Implements Volunteer / Meeting Conduct Policy

The national ACS has a “Volunteer / Meeting Conduct Policy” for its events and suggests implementing one for its local sections. The Kalamazoo Section of the American Chemical Society (KACS) Executive Committee reviewed and revised the national policy for its members and endorsed the following on April 19, 2021.

Edward W. Thomas, Ph.D., KACS Chair

KALAMAZOO SECTION OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY (KACS)

Policies

One of the key strengths of the ACS has been the  enduring and varied contributions made by its thousands of dedicated volunteers.

Another unassailable strength of the ACS is its outstanding meetings program. ACS meetings are among the most respected scientific meetings in the world. ACS meetings offer scientific professionals a legitimate platform to present, publish, discuss, and exhibit the  most exciting research discoveries technologies in chemistry and its related disciplines. Furthermore, ACS meetings facilitate networking opportunities, career development, and placement, and provide organizations with opportunities to exhibit products and services to targeted audiences.

The Society’s Congressional Charter explicitly lists among its objectives “the improvement of the qualifications and usefulness of chemists through high standards of professional ethics, education, and attainments….” The ACS  expects  its  volunteers  and  meeting  attendees to display the highest qualities of personal and professional integrity in all aspects of their ACS related activities. Indeed, every chemical professional has obligations to the public, to volunteer and staff colleagues, and to science.

Volunteer / KACS Meeting Attendee Conduct Policy*

To foster a positive environment built upon a foundation of trust, respect, open communications, and ethical behavior, this Volunteer and Meeting Attendee Policy applies to KACS Volunteers, individuals conducting the business and affairs of the KACS, and to attendees  at KACS meetings. Specifically:

1. Volunteers and KACS meeting attendees should interact with others in a cooperative and respectful manner and should contribute to a collegial, inclusive, positive, and respectful environment for their fellow volunteers and attendees, as well as for other stakeholders, including meeting vendors and KACS Executive Committee Members.
2. Volunteers and meeting  attendees must  avoid  taking any  inappropriate  actions  based  on  race,  gender,   age, religion, ethnicity, nationality, sex orientation, gender expression, gender identity, marital status, political affiliation, presence of disabilities, or educational background. They should show consistent respect to colleagues, regardless of the  level of their formal education and whether they are from industry, government or academia, or other scientific and engineering disciplines.
3. Volunteers and meeting attendees should refrain from using insulting, harassing, or otherwise offensive  language in their KACS interactions. Disruptive, harassing, or inappropriate behavior toward other volunteers, stakeholders, or staff is unacceptable. Personal boundaries set by others must be observed. Harassment of any kind, including but not limited to unwelcome  sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical harassment will not be tolerated.
4. Volunteers and meeting attendees should call 911 or on-site security when they reasonably believe they or someone else is in immediate danger.
5. Volunteers and meeting attendees should obey all applicable laws and regulations of the relevant governmental authority while meeting at federally- funded institutions (e.g., schools, colleges, and universities), including but not limited to adhering to the policies and practices required by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972.
6. Volunteer and meeting attendees alike should ensure that they comply with all applicable safety guidelines relating to public chemistry demonstrations.
7. Volunteers and meeting attendees should only use ACS’s trademarks, insignia, name, logos, and other intellectual property in compliance with ACS regulations and directives as may be issued from time to time.
8. The capturing of images or recordings, including, but not limited to, photographs, video, or audio recording in various forms and media, downloading, or rebroadcasting of technical session (oral or poster) speakers or presentations is strictly prohibited unless otherwise approved in advance by an KACS Executive Committee Member.

KACS Presenter Conduct Policy*

To foster a positive environment built upon a foundation of trust, respect, open communications, and ethical behavior, this Presenter Attendee Policy applies to each presenter of any technical session, oral or poster. Each presenter shall ensure:

1. That nothing in their presentation is defamatory, libelous, or  otherwise unlawful, violates any right of privacy, or infringes any duty of confidentiality owed  to another party or violates any contract, express or implied.
2. Their presentation is the original work of the presenter and any contributors who have been involved in such research or preparation have been appropriately identified.
3. Any third-party quotations or figures have been appropriately noted, and in the case of illustrations in particular, permission for their use has been obtained.
4. All institutional approvals and protocols have been obtained and followed in conjunction with the research and the preparation of the presentation. Similarly, any related requirements of relevant research funding agencies have been followed. Any funding agencies providing support for the underlying research have been identified.
5. Any unusual hazards inherent in the chemicals, equipment or procedures used in the underlying research as described in the presentation are clearly identified.

Violations of these Conduct Policies should be reported promptly to the KACS Executive Committee (https://www.kalamazooacs.org/about/officers.html). In cases of alleged persistent and/or serious violations of this Conduct Policy, the Executive Committee shall review the evidence, employ fairness principles that consider the rights of all involved, find facts, arrive at a decision, and take such actions as may be appropriate, including but  not limited to requiring volunteers to leave their volunteer position(s); precluding volunteers from serving in section volunteer roles in the future; requiring meeting attendees to leave the meeting; and, precluding meeting attendees from attending future KACS meetings. KACS, through its Executive Committee, reserves the right to pursue additional measures as it may determine are appropriate.

The KACS Executive Committee approved these Policies on April 19, 2021.

* This document is derived from the ACS “Volunteer / National Meeting Attendee Conduct Policy”

Iffland, Past Chair and Member for Nearly Eight Decades, Dies at 99

Job Opportunities

KACS Calendar

Any member is invited to attend our Executive Committee Meetings; please contact Ed Thomas for information regarding how you may participate.

Be alert for a future presentation on the Pfizer COVID-19 Vaccine!