Student Affiliates Chapter of American Chemical Society at TAMUK Ranks in Top Three Percent Nationwide

KINGSVILLE (September 23, 2002) — For the seventh year in a row, the Student Affiliates Chapter of the American Chemical Society (ACS) at Texas A&M University-Kingsville has achieved national distinction for its chapter activities. The student organization, under the guidance of Dr. Ronald E. Marcotte, professor of chemistry, has been selected to receive an Outstanding Award for its activities during the 2001-02 academic year.

Only 31 university ACS chapters have been granted an Outstanding Award for the year, putting the A&M-Kingsville chapter in the top three percent of all ACS Student Affiliate chapters nationwide. There are more than 950 chapters in the United States and Puerto Rico with approximately 7,500 student members.

Marcotte said the Outstanding Award is the highest category given, and the student chapters are not broken down into divisions based on university size. “The competition is really stiff and we really had to pull out all the stops to get the gold,” he said. “We were going up against the biggest schools you can name.”

Marcotte said his group of students did not set out to win an award, but the recognition is a wonderful validation for all of their hard work throughout the year. He said the students really love what they do through ACS, and that the community service and community outreach components of their activities is what really motivates them.

“I think that they enjoy being part of a lively group,” he said. “They really like going to the schools and they have a great rapport with the younger students. They feel like they are doing something important.”

To be considered for an award, the student chapter must submit a report detailing its activities for the year. Marcotte said he counted more than 100 activities, big and small, throughout the year. In addition to visiting area schools to give chemistry and safety demonstrations, activities included a beach cleanup with the Texas State Aquarium, adopting a two-mile stretch of Highway 141, participating in the annual American Red Cross Charity Bike Tour of the King Ranch and planting oleanders at Thompson Park in Kingsville during Make a Difference Day. They also assisted with clean up efforts at the Kingsville Boys and Girls Club to prepare for the renovation of the club’s gymnasium.

The group also plans activities and demonstrations during National Chemistry Week and participates in the university’s annual Chemistry Olympics, which brings high school students from South Texas to the campus to compete in chemistry-related competitions.

Members also participate in local and regional ACS meetings, including South Texas sectional meetings in Corpus Christi and Weslaco and the Southwest Regional Meeting in San Antonio. Eli Pearce, national president of ACS , said the student affiliates chapter at A&M-Kingsville sets a fine example for other chapters and that Marcotte deserves special commendation.

“Few faculty members are willing to make the great commitment of time and energy that a successful chapter requires of its advisor,” Pearce said. “It takes more than exceptional effort to be an award-winning chapter; it takes the nurturing attention of a dedicated advisor. Professor Marcotte’s efforts certainly represent the best in undergraduate science education and mentoring around the country.”

Officers for the ACS student affiliates at A&M-Kingsville for 2001-02 were Jacqueline Besinaiz of Corpus Christi, president; Richard Aves of San Antonio, vice-president; Erin Minter of Kingsville, secretary; and Debra Carpentier of Kingsville, treasurer.

The award-winning chapters will be recognized at the 225th ACS National Meeting in New Orleans in March 2003. They also will be listed in Chemical & Engineering News, the society’s official national magazine, as well as in the student affiliates magazine, in Chemistry.