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The September/October issue of In Chemistry, The Magazine for ACS Student Affiliates, cites the role of Lafayette in founding the first student chapter of the American Chemistry Society and provides a profile of the current Lafayette group in a separate article.
ACS Secretary Charles L. Parsons announced approval of Lafayette’s application to found a Student Affiliate of the American Chemical Society (SAACS) on Nov. 14, 1937, reports In Chemistry.
“Parsons hoped that this chapter would serve as an inspiration to its members and help increase student interest in the Society,” the article states. “During the Lehigh Valley Local section meeting on March 18, 1938, the Lafayette College SAACS chapter was installed. The installation ceremony was attended by Frank C. Whitmore, ACS president, who spoke on ‘what the affiliates may mean to the Society.’ Theodore A. Distler, dean of Lafayette College, discussed ‘what the affiliates may mean to the college.'” Six other chapters were also chartered on college campuses in 1937.
Today, the Lafayette SAACS chapter sponsors speakers from academia, industry, and government, and hosts sessions on gradate school, summer programs, and internships, notes In Chemistry.
“The Lafayette chapter also plans outreach activities for the local community,” the magazine reports. “These efforts have included visits to elementary schools and National Chemistry Week activities. The chapter has also sponsored an Earth Day poster contest for middle school students. To recognize the chapter for its extensive and energetic activities, the Lafayette College Student Government Association presented the chapter with the 2000-2001 Aaron O. Hoff Academic Group of the Year award.”
The first president of the chapter, Samuel Re, recently celebrated his 90th birthday.