Volume VI, number 1

Dale was named the 1997 Inventor of the Year by the Intellectual Property Owners Association, and in addition to many scientific reviews, his work has been featured in Time Magazine's "Man of the Year" issue and on CNN's "Impact".

Dr. Kempf would like to meet with students or post-docs to discuss opportunities in the pharmaceutical industry. Please contact Diane Frost for additional information. E-mail: frost@arnou.cem.msu.edu

Evelyn P. Jackson's Councilor Report

ACS Women in Chemistry Michigan State University Section

National Chemistry Week 1997!

Congratulations to Elena

Working Chemists with Disabilities: Expanding Opportunities in Science

30TH CENTRAL REGIONAL MEETING: CALL FOR PAPERS

Personal Career Assistance

The ACS 2001 Membership Campaign
ACS Task Force on Member Retention Offering Mini-Grants
Mentoring Workshop / ACS 2001 Membership Campaign

Safety Videos Take Top Awards

Titles available in the Laboratory Safety Video Series:

Edited Statements from the Candidates for ACS President

Thanks, Comments, and our local section web site

Evelyn P. Jackson's Councilor Report, 1997

I am happy to have the opportunity to serve as your councilor! My major responsibility is to represent our local section on the ACS Council at both the spring and fall national meetings. In these sessions, ACS committees report on their activities and issues including national bylaw changes, are discussed and voted on. Since becoming MSU section Councilor in 1993, I have attended all Council meetings.

My personal interest is involvement in programs impacting science education at all levels. This includes how science is taught in our schools, and programs addressing science literacy for the general public. ACS has developed a powerful grass-roots network of local sections (188!) and I see these as a way for all of us to get involved in science education. National Chemistry Week gives us the leverage, the means, and a mission to get involved through our local sections. My activities at the national level reflect these issues.

Since becoming Councilor I have had several opportunities to serve at the national level. I was appointed to the Local Section Activities Committee (LSAC), as an associate in 1994, and then as a full member (95-6, 97-8). I currently Chair LSAC's Program Enrichment Subcommittee, focused on informing local sections about the many programs available within the ACS community, and helping with their use. This year, I also began a term as an associate with the Committee on Minority Affairs, and am involved with a subcommittee developing plans for a Presidential Event in Boston next year.

For the past two years, I have served on the National Chemistry Week Task Force as LSAC's representative. It has been great fun for me to observe from the inside how ACS has developed and promoted this highly effective program. I continue to believe that NCW is the single most important annual event supported by the ACS Board of Directors. NCW provides a framework to focus ACS outreach activities, irrespective of the size or expertise within a Local Section.

Opportunities exist on many of the ACS Committees, Task Forces, and Awards Committees for individuals who would like to contribute their time and expertise. As a Councilor and active Committee member, I am frequently asked to recommend individuals wanting to get involved in ACS governance. Please contact me if you are interested.

We can all be proud. Our Section won a Phoenix Award for Best Shopping Mall Event in 1996 for our activities during Chemistry Day at Lansing Mall on Saturday, November 2. Organized by Sheldon Knoespel, more than 240 students from area schools participated, and over than 6000 visitors were treated to the joy of chemistry. A very big thank you goes out to Sheldon, and all the students and teachers who participated in the chemical demonstrations, making this the best mall event ever!

I hope to see many of you throughout the coming year and that you will also get involved!

Ed's note: Phoenix Awards are given by ACS for local section participation in National Chemistry Week. Each of the local sections that participated in last year's NCW were eligible to be nominated. Additional award categories include Greatest Membership Involvement, Best Event in a Museum or Library, and Best Activity with Elementary Schools. It is already time to start planning for 1998! Special opportunities are discussed in the accompanying article.

ACS Women in Chemistry Michigan State University Section

A new group called "ACS Women in Chemistry" (ACS-WIC) has formed within our local section. Two of the evolving goals are to promote interaction among women in the chemical sciences and to address the needs of women in chemistry at all stages in their careers.

Exciting activities planned for this fall include a brown bag lunch, What is a Ph.D.? , October 1st; a seminar by Professor Joyce Ladenson, Behavioral Science and Body Language, November 6; and a Holiday Potluck networking get-together, December 3. Watch for more details!

A steering committee is working on final arrangements for these scheduled events, and planning future programs. Please contact Beth Gardner, Micah Stowe, Kathy Severin, or Evelyn Jackson to participate.

National Chemistry Week 1997!

Think of it as a great opportunity to show local section activities in the elementary school classroom.

Finally, the local section needs one or more people to chair the local NCW committee for 1998. We have an excellent history of participation and success with our events but we need extra help! Please remember, none of these events happen by themselves.

Congratulations to Elena

Elena Schoenberger was recently honored by the American Chemical Society for research conducted at MSU. Elena participated in the 1996 NSF/MSU High School Honors Science summer program organized by Dr. Gail Richmond. Working with Professor Robert Maleczka in the Department of Chemistry, Elena researched the regiochemical issues surrounding palladium mediated versus free radical hydrostannylation reactions. Upon returning to her home in Bethesda Maryland, Elena presented her research at the Junior Science and Humanities Symposium held on the campus of Georgetown University. She then entered the Montgomery County Science Fair in Rockville, Maryland and was awarded First Prize in the Chemistry Area and also voted Best in Fair. These successes gained Elena entry into the prestigious International Science and Engineering Fair held this past May in Louisville, KY where she received an honorable mention from the American Chemical Society. The ACS indicated it will honor Elena and other talented students during an upcoming ceremony at the National Headquarters in Washington D.C. Elena has begun her senior year in high school and is busy considering which College or University to attend.

Working Chemists with Disabilities: Expanding Opportunities in Science

Available Free, The ACS Committee on Chemists with Disabilities has recently published Working Chemists with Disabilities: Expanding Opportunities in Science. This 68-page booklet profiles 17 chemists and chemical engineers showing modifications made to their work environments and adaptive strategies that they employ on a daily basis in their work. There is also a disability resource section in the back of the book.

Working Chemists offers proof-positive that persons with disabilities can indeed work productively in the chemical sciences. It is intended for chemists and chemical engineers with disabilities, students with disabilities, parents, teachers, counselors, chemistry-related employers, and the general public.

contact Allison Edmondson, The American Chemical Society, 1155 16th St., NW, Washington, DC 20036. 800/227-5558 x2120; E-mail: a_edmondson@acs.org.

Web version available!! To download, http://www.acs.org/memgen/workchem/start.htm

30TH CENTRAL REGIONAL MEETING: CALL FOR PAPERS

Hosted by The Cleveland Section, papers on research conducted in the Central Region of the Midwest reporting original data, techniques, or processes are being solicited.

ABSTRACT DEADLINE: JANUARY 26, 1998

General Chair: David Ewing, Department of Chemistry, John Carroll University, University Hts., OH 44118-2837, (216) 397-4241, (216) 397-3033 (FAX); E-mail: ewing@jcvaxa.jcu.edu

All sessions and the expositions will be held at the Renaissance Cleveland Hotel.

web site: http://www.csuohio.edu/cleveland_acs/crm.htm

Personal Career Assistance

The Career Consultant Program matches you with experienced chemists trained to coach you throughout the career development process. These consultants can help define your career direction, describe your qualifications in a resume, plan an effective job search, and build your confidence for successful interviewing. Literally thousands of members have benefited from using ACS career services.

contact Elaine Diggs, ACS Dept. of Career Services, 1155 16th St., N.W., Washington, D.C. 20036, 800-227-5558, X4436, or 202-872-4436; E-mail: e_diggs@acs.org

The ACS 2001 Membership Campaign

ACS members share many benefits: employment and career services; internationally respected ACS publications; the weekly Chemical & Engineering News magazine, which all members receive; a network of national and regional scientific meetings; division and local section activities; and much more. The ACS 2001 Membership Campaign is focused on building the Society's membership for the future. You and the section can both cash in. 5 Steps, 10 Bucks, Everybody Wins!

1- Get a Member-Get-a-Member application from the ACS Department of Membership Activities. contact 800/227-5558, ext. 4568, or 202/872-4568; E-mail: meminfo@acs.org

2- Speak with friends who'd benefit from ACS membership. Remember why you joined? Tell them about the professional benefits you have gotten from joining ACS, and that keep you an active member.

3- Fill out your part on the application. When your friend is admitted to membership, you'll get a coupon from ACS for $10 off next year's dues or, you can select an ACS-logo-emblazoned desk clock. You can apply as many coupons as you like toward your dues payment. If you find 10 new ACS members, your 1998 membership is practically free!

4- Make sure the section's name is in the "local section/division commission claim" box on the application; if that box is filled in, ACS will pay the section $10 for each first-time member, $5 for each reinstating member, and $7.50 for each national affiliate admitted into the Society.

5- Take advantage of the numerous benefits available to our strong network of chemical professionals that you've just helped build! Members are the foundation of ACS. Our membership provides the energy, ideas, and hands making better things possible for everyone in the chemical community.

ACS Task Force on Member Retention Offering Mini-Grants

Keeping current ACS members actively involved in local section activities is a primary focus of membership development. It is very important to keep current members active while encouraging new people to join. To keep members active, The Joint Task Force on Member Retention is offering mini-grants to local sections for creation of member-retention programs. Grants of up to $2000 are available.

The task force favors ongoing programs instead of to one-time events. Efforts should target groups traditionally proven to be "at risk" of dropping membership: members under the age of 40, members who work in industry, and members whose highest degree is a bachelors'.

If you have ideas, work with your sections executive committee to develop a proposal for the task force's review. You could be the key to a mini-grant and new energy for the section!

contact Eric Blendermann, 800/227-5558 ext. 6288, or 202/872-6288; E-mail: e_blenderman@acs.org

Mentoring Workshop / ACS 2001 Membership Campaign

Two representatives from each local section are invited to attend an all expense paid local section mentoring workshop at the ACS Washington, D.C. headquarters building. The workshop begins at noon on Friday, November 21st and ends at 2 p.m. on Sunday, November 23rd.

contact Stephanie Butler at 1-800-227-5558, press 9,3, and 4; E-mail: s_butler@acs.org.

Safety Videos Take Top Awards

The Big Spill: Spill Prevention and Cleanup and Marty's Guide to Laboratory Chemical Storage were awarded by the Society for Technical Communication in the 1997 International Technical Video Competition. "The Big Spill" was named Best of Show overall, and the program also received an Award of Distinguished Technical Communication. "Marty's" was honored in the same competition with an Award of Excellence. The International Technical Video Competition recognizes excellence in video communication dealing with technology, science, medicine, and government.

Oxidation Hazards :More Than Just Air received a prestigious Golden Reel Award for script writing from the International Television Association (ITVA). This, it's second major award, was presented to scriptwriter Grant Williams at ITVA's 29th Annual Golden Reel Awards Ceremony, held on June 14 in Cincinnati. The ITVA awards recognize talent and outstanding achievement in organizational communications. "Oxidation Hazards" previously won a Communicator's Award of Distinction.

The winning videos continue the successful formula of using a blend of humor and drama to demonstrate important safety issues. Programs development was overseen by highly qualified technical advisors.

The latest releases are From Cradle to Grave: Laboratory Waste Management, Seeing the Light: Eye and Face Protection, and Using Chemical Hoods: A Laboratory Safety Test.

Titles available in the Laboratory Safety Video Series:

Things That Burn: Flammable and Combustible Chemicals

Compressed Gases: Safe Handling Procedures

Compressed Gases: Compressed Hazards.

Oxidation Hazards: More Than Just Air

Stop That Dose: Working Safely with Toxic Chemicals

Taking the Long View: Carcinogens and Related Health Hazards

Out of Harm's Way: Safe Handling of Corrosive Chemicals

Marty's Guide to Laboratory Chemical Storage

The Big Spill: Spill Prevention and Cleanup

From Cradle to Grave: Laboratory Waste Management

Seeing the Light: Eye and Face Protection

Using Chemical Hoods: A Laboratory Safety Test

contact ACS Media Courses Office: 1-800-227-5558 or 202-872-6311, FAX: 202-872-6336.

Allied Van Lines Member Discount Goes Global

Allied Van Lines, part of our non technical member benefits program, has extended its benefits to include international relocation services. If you are moving from one country to another, or if you live outside the United States and plan a move within that country, Allied offers a $150.00 discount for air shipment and a $250.00 discount for surface shipment. contact Barbara McDaniel 1-800-323-1909, ext. 3650.

For moving services within the United States, call 1-800-GO-TO-AVL (468-6285) for the Allied Mover in your area participating in this program. Allied offers up to a 40% discount on standard rates.

Please use the ACS customer number, C6249, for all requests.

Edited Statements from the Candidates for ACS President

JUDITH GIORDAN

ACS has been and should always remain the premier organization advancing the science of chemistry. However, ACS is challenged to balance advancing the science with furthering opportunities for the professional practitioners of chemistry. Chemical scientists and engineers make chemical discovery and application possible!

Regardless of our gender, age, race or level of technical training, WE ARE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER!

To be successful in addressing vital issues, ACS members must work together.

web site: home.att.net/~jgiordan

EDEL WASSERMAN

For many ACS members, the Local Section is the Society. The Section provides a natural focus for personal contacts, a forum for the issues important to chemists, and a source of programs aimed at the general public. Speakers at local meetings keep us abreast of major technical advances. The success of National Chemistry Week exemplifies the importance of the Sections in publicizing the significance of our science as well as celebrating its many accomplishments.

Retirees are a talented, willing and underutilized resource of our Society, particularly for education. Local programs to involve retirees in education have been very successful. I will ask the Committee on Local Sections and the Education Division to establish programs to utilize our talented resource throughout the country.

web site: http://www.wizards.dupont.com/wasserman

October Chemical Dates to Remember

2: William Ramsay, b. 1852, discovered argon (Ar, 18) with J. W. Strutt, 1894; isolated helium (He, 2), 1895; neon (Ne, 10), xenon (Xe, 54), and krypton (Kr, 36) (with M. W. Travers), 1898; Nobel Prize, 1904.

7: Niels Bohr, b. 1885, proposed "solar system" model of atom, 1913, based on Planck's quantum law; Nobel Prize, 1922.

10: Henry Cavendish, b. 1731, discovered hydrogen (H, 1), 1766; synthesized water; independent discoverer of nitrogen.

12: Vladimir a. Kistiakowsky, b. 1865, researcher in electrochemistry and thermodynamics

18: Harvey W. Wiley, b. 1844, "Father of Pure Food Law"

21: Alfred Nobel, b. 1833, invented dynamite; established Nobel Prizes.

23: Gilbert N. Lewis, b. 1875, developed theories of chemical bond and valency, researcher in thermodynamics.

**23: Mole Day, 6:02 AM-6:02 PM (Mole times); Mole Moment: 50.453 seconds after 6:42**

28: Christopher K. Ingold, b. 1893, researcher in mechanisms of organic reactions and naming stereoisomers (Cahn-Ingold-Prelog system).

29: P. E. Marcellin Berthelot, b. 1827, a founder of thermochemistry; showed that nitrogen was fixed by electric discharges and bacteria; synthesized alcohol, formic acid, methane, and acetylene.

31: Adolf von Baeyer, b. 1835, researcher on indigo; evolved strain theory of carbon rings; prepared acetylene; discovered barbituric acid, 1863; won Nobel Prize, 1905.

Thanks and Comments

Rob Maleczka, Evy Jackson and Sheldon Knoespel contributed articles and I want to say thanks since, there would be no newsletter without them. Bill Draper helped with the graphics and Carl Slater has helped with publishing and mailing. Material was also obtained from the ACS web site, and from the Cleveland section. I have edited the text and hence, am responsible for any errors and omissions.

We've touched on a few member opportunities and benefits. There are many more. Providing these services requires membership participation. The local section is always looking for people to be involved. Every little bit helps.

web site: I have begun working on our local section web site. In addition to section news, and announcements, I want to feature brief stories about some of our members. I had wanted to do this last year but we didn't have room. There are literally hundreds of us in this section only minimally informed of other members and their interests. Please don't slam the receiver down if you get a call from me; think of it as an opportunity.

The MSU local section of ACS is here to serve your needs. We are very interested in any projects or ideas you might need help with. Let us know what we can do. The web page will include links to section officer E-mail boxes making it easier to contact us. Please be patient at first, and don't forget to send us your comments and suggestions. The site can be accessed from the MSU Chemistry Department Home Page.

www.cem.msu.edu

Ed Bryant

Volunteers Necessary:

You are one of the many exceptional people in our section. To remain a dynamic, self motivated, member oriented organization, we need you. Will you talk with student groups (special skills, attributes, where work, job type), lobby, or serve on a section committee? Will you volunteer in the area schools and / or during section sponsored events? We're an outstanding local section and you can help us do more. Let's stay in touch!

P L E A S E complete the following questionnaire, and send it to back to us.

Resource Database:

Name: ______________________________ Employer: ___________________________

Address: _____________________________ Comments: __________________________

____________________________________ __________________________________

Work Phone: _________________________ __________________________________

Home Phone: _________________________ E-mail: ______________________________

I am interested in serving on the following committees:

____ National Chemistry Week ____ Newsletter

____ Careers & Employment ____ Awards

____ Chemistry Olympiad ____ Membership

send to: Dr. Carl Slater

Dr. Carl Slater, Secretary

MSU ACS Local Section

Department of Chemistry

Michigan State University

East Lansing, MI 48824-1322

slater@cemadmin.cem.msu.edu