Chemistry

Tuesday, October 3, 2017

As a liberal arts college, Westminster is a place for students to grow both inside and outside of their majors. Being able to effectively communicate original ideas and findings is an essential skill—especially for students who tirelessly research in the laboratory. Therefore, the Chemistry Department hosts weekly seminars for junior and seniors to further develop their professional and oral communication skills.

Tuesday, September 26, 2017

The American Chemical Society (ACS) is the largest scientific professional organization, consisting of over 160,000 researchers, professors and engineers. Westminster professor of chemistry Dr. Peter Smith was elected as a councilor for the society in the industrial and engineering chemistry division. 

Wednesday, June 28, 2017

In 2014, officials announced that Westminster College was set to receive a $1.027 million grant through the Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program of the National Science Foundation, a program aimed to increase qualifications of secondary educators in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (or IQ:STEM). Since its inception at Westminster, seven scholars have been accepted into the program; four of which have graduated and are in their first years of teaching.

Tuesday, June 20, 2017

Students from Sharpsville Area High School and Wilmington Area High School visited Westminster College in May as part of a chemistry outreach program hosted by Dr. Helen Boylan, Professor of Chemistry. The theme of the program was water quality, and both groups had hands-on experiences doing field and laboratory water quality testing.

Wednesday, May 24, 2017

Dr. Helen Boylan, professor of chemistry, together with two students, Maddison Grimes '18 and Cory Pullen '20, participated in the Women in Science/Engineering Speaker Series at Carnegie Elementary School, which is part of Carlynton School District in the Pittsburgh area. The WISE program is the brainchild of Mr. Scott Donnelly, science teacher at the school, who hopes to inspire girls in 5th and 6th grade by exposing them to successful women in science and engineering.

Tuesday, January 10, 2017

Chemistry alumna and Sharpsville Area High School teacher Merrissa (Malcolm) Nguyen '12 and Helen Boylan, Professor of Chemistry, have joined forces this year as part of the American Chemical Society (ACS) Ambassadors Program. Through this program, Boylan serves as a “Science Coach,” working with Nguyen to plan activities and connect classroom learning to the real world. Additionally, Nguyen’s school receives a $500 donation from the ACS to support science education.

Monday, December 5, 2016

Senior chemistry major, Christopher Caroff, was one of four undergraduate students to be awarded the 2016 EAS Student Research Award at the Eastern Analytical Symposium (EAS) on Nov. 15 in Somerset, NJ.

Wednesday, November 16, 2016

Nine Westminster College chemistry and biochemistry majors presented the results of a service-learning project during a meeting of the Slippery Rock Watershed Coalition (SRWC) on Oct. 13, at the Jennings Environmental Education Center.

Monday, November 7, 2016

The Westminster College Department of Chemistry will host Dr. Kasey Kovalcik for the ninth annual Ken and Nancy Long Chemistry Lecture at 7 p.m. Nov. 10, in the Lakeview Room located in McKelvey Campus Center. The event is free and open to the public.

Tuesday, September 20, 2016

The National Science Foundation has awarded Westminster College a grant of $648,670 for its project “Rural Discovery Scholars: Providing Targeted Services and Role Models to Increase STEM Preparedness in Rural Students.”