Kalamazoo Section of the American Chemical Society
We are a dynamic and visionary organization committed to improving people’s lives in our community through the transforming power of chemistry. We strive to advance the broader chemistry enterprise and its practitioners for the benefit of Kalamazoo, Allegan and Van Buren counties.
January 2017 KalChemist News
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Highlights
- Our 75th anniversary celebration
- Facts about the SR-71 Blackbird
- Interesting KACS facts
- Congratulatory Remarks
Our KACS 75th Anniversary Party!
It's right around the corner...
Time is getting close for our KACS 75th anniversary gala celebration on the main floor of the Air Zoo (6151 Portage Road) on the evening of Thursday, February 23, 2017, from 6-9:30 pm.
There will be time to socialize, reminisce, celebrate our accomplishments, enjoy dinner, and be treated to a presentation on the SR-71. The Executive Director of the ACS will join our celebration, and we will have access to four of the Air Zoo's event experiences (including the simulators and the 4-D theater) for those who would like to take advantage of them!
We look forward to seeing you at this family-friendly event. The cost for the buffet dinner for each attendee age 12 years and older will be $10.00 (young people under 12 may come at no cost) so please plan to join fellow KACS members and friends that evening for this special party! See you there!
Registration is required to attend: Register
SR-71 Blackbird Presentation at the 75th Anniversary Party!
Long time Air Zoo docent John Boase will provide a special presentation on the SR-71 Blackbird
Some interesting facts about the SR-71:
- Flew from 1964-1991, only 32 aircraft were manufactured
- Holds the record for fastest flight at 2193.13 mph, recorded in July 1976
- The mostly titanium body leaked fuel through expansion joints that sealed once the plane heated up due to air friction
- The SR-71's JP-7 fuel had such a low flash point that an initiator (triethylborane) had to be ignited first to then ignite the fuel
- The SR71's "R2-D2" navigation system main sensor could detect >60 stars in broad daylight
- The SR-71's advanced camera could, while flying at 2,000 mph at 80,000 feet, photograph a moving car clearly enough to read the license plate
Top Ten Reasons to Attend the 75th Anniversary Party!
- By Feb 23 we will all be ready for a party night out to help break up mid-winter cabin fever.
- Tickets only cost $10 per person, with all ticket sale proceeds going to help defray the cost of the event.
- The Air Zoo is a very cool event venue, and we will have access to the static aircraft displays and 4 of the attractions, including the simulators.
- This is an opportunity to meet ACS Executives and share your thoughts with them.
- This is an opportunity to see and learn about the fastest aircraft in the world: the SR-71 Blackbird.
- A very good buffet dinner is being catered by AV Catering, feature a vegetarian and a non-vegetarian entrée.
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A cash bar will be available featuring:
- As a special memento commemorating 75 years, the first 100 registrants will receive a limited edition KACS 75th pint glass.
- It's not often that we get invited to a 75th birthday party (and don’t have to bring a gift).
- This is a most excellent opportunity to socialize and hang out with chemistry friends, colleagues and family, and celebrate the first 75 years of the ACS Kalamazoo Local Section.
Interesting Facts Regarding KACS's 75 year History
- The KACS Meritorious Service Award has been awarded 36 times since 1989.
- Two KACS members celebrated their 60th membership anniversary in 2016 - David G. Martin and Howard A. Whaley, and one member in 2015 - Thomas Houser
- NASA connection - KACS presented a Salute to Excellence Award to Astronaut Jack Lousma in 2003
- In 2013 KACS taught Kalamazoo how to do the Cupid Shuffle
- In 2014 KACS was awarded not one, but two ACS ChemLuminary Awards
- 2017 will be the 36th year that the KACS Education Committee has sponsored an annual competitive exam program for area high school students
- The KACS local section covers Kalamazoo, Van Buren and Allegan counties, and is part of the ACS Great Lakes Region.
- A major part of KACS are the WMU Chemistry Club, the Kalamazoo College Chemistry Club and the WMU Chemistry Graduate Student Association.
- In 1956 the KACS local section annual dues were $2, and in 2017 are only $8.
- The first KACS newsletter was issued in 1956, in 1980 the newsletter was named The Kalchemist News.
Notes of Congratulations on our 75th Anniversary
Happy Anniversary to the Kalamazoo Section! You deserve tremendous thanks and gratitude for your devotion to your passionate members, your community and our science over the past 75 years. I have no doubt that the next 75 years will be filled with even more events, outreach, and education that strengthen the Society and demonstrate the transforming power of chemistry.
On behalf of Kalamazoo College, congratulations to the Kalamazoo ACS Chapter on 75 years of good chemistry! We at K are particularly appreciative of the "good chemistry" that exists between the local chapter, our chemistry department, and our ACS student group. Together, they have applied that "good chemistry" in community outreach and in engagement, professional development and networking with local scientists who practice chemistry in industry, government and education. That "good chemistry" has launched many careers and helps sustain one of the finest undergraduate chemistry programs in the country…right here in Kalamazoo. Thank you, Kalamazoo ACS, for your commitment to the love, the sharing, the explication and the importance of chemistry in Kalamazoo.
Do you have questions, comments, or a desire to contribute to the newsletter? Send an e-mail to chair@kalamazooacs.org.