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2016 Chemistry Reunion

The Chemistry Reunion Weekend

 

The first UK Chemistry Reunion was held on October 14-16, 2016.  The initial event of the weekend was the annual Lyle Dawson lecture presented by Prof. Seth Marder of Georgia Institute of Technology on “The Design of Third-Order Nonlinear Optical Materials.”  Following this well-attended presentation and a reception in the new Don and Cathy Jacobs Science Building (JSB), an Open House of the JSB made it possible for visitors to view our state-of-the-art science teaching facilities.  In addition to tours of the new JSB, the evening featured:

  • The Reaction Attraction with entertaining and spectacular chemistry demonstrations by Anne-Frances Miller, Jack Selegue, and Erin Peters
  • Demonstrations of scientific glassblowing by Jeff Babbitt
  • A description of the “Spirits Chemistry” course offered by Bert Lynn
  • A crime scene, based on the “Forensic Science on Television” course taught by Mark Lovell
  • The Chemistry in Comics collection of Jack Selegue and Jim Holler

 

Chemistry Celebrates Halloween

On Friday, October 30, 2015 the Department of Chemistry celebrated Halloween with a department-wide potluck. Faculty, staff and graduate students were invited to bring in a dish and put on their spookiest costume. There were a host of wizards, superheroes, villains and even the elusive Waldo made an appearance to enjoy some treats. Some of the graduate students showed up in costumes that will certainly be remembered for years to come. As always, the cuisine highlighted the immense diversity within the Department, and was enjoyed by all. The Department hopes to continue to build community and relationships through fun events where people can enjoy being together. Our next planned event is the annual holiday party, and will take place on Wednesday, December 16, 2015.

          

          

Faculty Poster Presentation

The Department of Chemistry hosted a Faculty Poster Presentation on Friday, September 4, 2015.  This annual event is an opportunity for new graduate students to meet Chemistry faculty members and learn about their current research projects.Each of the 30 new graduate students needs to choose a research group by December, and the poster Presentation is designed them find a project that aligns with their interests.  This choice is critical, because the research group a student chooses this semester will determine the course of his or her academic career.