Contact: Beverly Hassell
202-872-4065 in Washington
504-586-4650 in New Orleans, March 21-27, 2003
American Chemical Society

Committee on Minority Affairs celebrates diversity during its 10^th anniversary

Highlights of the committee's celebration include a luncheon, symposium, panel discussions and poster session.

Cecil B. Pickett, Ph.D., president of Schering-Plough Research Institute, and one of the highest-ranking African-Americans in the pharmaceutical industry, will be the keynote speaker during the 10^th anniversary luncheon.

A symposium and panel, "Celebrating Success and Reaffirming Commitment," will review the history and future direction of committee outreach to minority groups that are underrepresented in chemistry, which include African-Americans, Hispanics and Native Americans. Former ACS President S. Allen Heininger, Ph.D., will discuss, "Science, minorities, and the ACS." ACS Board member James P. Shoffner, Ph.D., will discuss, "The hidden satisfaction of mentoring underrepresented students."

Daniel José Mindiola, Ph.D., one of the first students from the ACS Scholars Program to earn a doctorate degree, also will give a presentation during the meeting. Dr. Mindiola received his B.S. degree in chemistry from Michigan State University in 1996, his Ph.D. degree from The Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 2000, and did a year and a half of post-doctoral research at The University of Chicago. In June of 2002, Dr. Mindiola took a faculty position at Indiana University in Bloomington.

Industry leaders from PPG Industries, Procter & Gamble, and DuPont will present "Corporate Diversity Commitments," and a second panel of ACS Scholars and Project SEED students will share their perspectives.

The event is cosponsored by the Society's Corporation Associates, Committee on Science, Project SEED, Women Chemists Committee and the Young Chemists Committee. The poster session and reception are cosponsored by PPG Industries.

The ACS Scholars Program provides financial support to academically accomplished African-American, Hispanic and Native American students in their pursuit of undergraduate studies in chemistry, chemical engineering, biochemistry, environmental science and related disciplines in two- and four- year college and university programs.

WHAT: Luncheon: "10^th Anniversary of the Committee on Minority Affairs"
WHO: Cecil B. Pickett, Ph.D., president, Schering-Plough Research Institute
WHEN: Monday, March 24, 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
WHERE: Hilton Riverside, Versailles Ballroom

WHAT: Symposium: "Celebrating Success and Reaffirming Commitment"
WHO: Larry K. Hampton, Geneva Pharmaceuticals, presiding
WHEN: Monday, March 24, 2-5 p.m.
WHERE: Hilton Riverside, Magnolia Room

WHAT: Poster Session and Reception
WHO: 80 Project SEED participants and ACS Scholars
WHEN: Monday, March 24, 5-6:30 p.m.
WHERE: Hilton Riverside, Napoleon Ballroom

Members of the news media interested in attending events sponsored by the ACS Committee on Minority Affairs should contact Beverly Hassell at b_hassell@acs.org, 202-872-4065, or in New Orleans, March 22-27, at 504-586-4650.