Department of Chemistry Academic Year 2012-13 News

Departmental Dinner

The annual Chemistry Department Dinner was held December 7, 2012 in the Student Lounge of the Student Center. Ms. Charmeyce Buck, the Chemistry Club President, gave the greeting and blessing. Faculty, staff and students prepared a variety of delicious foods and desserts for all to enjoy. After eating, selected students gave reflections on their personal experience with a perspective from each class year as to what it means to be a Chemistry Major.

For entertainment, we were treated to the singing talents of Michelle Smith and Corey Clay as they sang a cappella holiday songs. Myiah Davis then added some cheer with a stand-up comedy routine featuring jokes about the elements and chemistry in general. She gave credit to several on-line joke sites but the delivery was all hers.

As the evening proceeded, Dr. Urasa presented awards to several chemistry majors. The department recognizes academic performance in general, organic and physical chemistry classes. Congratulations to the award winners!

An underlying theme of the student reflections was that chemistry is not easy but that perseverance will get you through to graduation. To enforce that the commitment is worth it, Dr. Urasa invites alumni back to present their personal journey and present scientific seminars too. The guest speakers serve as an impetus to our students and spotlight the many career choices that are available to chemistry majors.

This year the invited guests included Dr. Judson Haynes, Section Leader, Analytical Sciences, Proctor & Gamble; Dr. Tiffani Bailey-Lash, Office of the Director, NIH and Ms. Keyanna Conner, Doctoral Candidate, Organic Chemistry, VCU. The presentations were inspiring and we hope our students can now see a bright future for themselves.