ISSUED: 7 December 2017
MEDIA CONTACT: Valerie Owens
SHEPHERDSTOWN, WV — The American Chemical Society (ACS) has selected Shepherd University’s student chapter to receive an honorable mention for its activities during the 2016-2017 academic year. The chapter will be among those honored during the ACS 255th national meeting March 18-22, 2018, in New Orleans.
Shepherd’s chapter is one of 139 from across the country receiving honorable mentions that are listed in the November/December 2017 issue of “inChemistry,” the student member magazine. A letter sent to Shepherd President Mary J.C. Hendrix commends Dr. Dan DiLella, chair of the Department of Chemistry and chapter faculty advisor.
“Few faculty members are willing to make the great commitment of time and energy that a successful chapter requires. Professor DiLella’s effort certainly represents the best in undergraduate science education and mentoring around the country,” the letter says.
“The students in the Shepherd University student affiliate of the American Chemical Society have organized and have participated in many scientific, educational, and service activities over the past year,” DiLella said. “The chemistry faculty at Shepherd is very pleased and proud that these activities have been given this recognition by the ACS.”
Among the activities the chapter has participated in include hosting workshops for the annual Seeding Your Future conference for middle school girls, establishing study sessions for members to prepare for chemistry tests, hosting outreach experiments for special days such as Mole Day and Pi Day, volunteering for Relay for Life and Shep-o-Treat, judging local science fairs, hosting speakers, and helping to organize a science banquet at the end of the year.
“The award means a lot to us, because it is a testament to the hard work that our members do to ensure that every event and project represents the values bestowed to us by Shepherd University and the Department of Chemistry,” said chapter president Benjamin Lanham, Martinsburg.
Shepherd’s American Chemical Society student chapter also includes students Keer Mesineni and Devon Umstead, both from Falling Waters; Courtney Glascock, Berkeley Springs; Kevin Turner, Capon Bridge; Elin Greer, Bridgeport; Alyssa Roush, Parkersburg; and Lauryl Scott, Myersville, Maryland.
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