LAKELAND, Fla. (April 15, 2008) —Eight Florida Southern College students accompanied Dr. Carmen Gauthier, chemistry professor, in participating at the 235th American Chemical Society (ACS) National Meeting in New Orleans on April 4-10.

Carmen Valdez Gauthier, Ph.D., Professor of Chemistry, Division Chair of Science and Mathematics, presented two posters, “Developing and maintaining successful ‘Chemists Celebrate Earth Day’ (CCED) programs” and “Chemists Celebrate Earth Day 2008: Streaming Chemistry.” She also served as chair of the Volunteer Engagement and Recognition committee of the ACS and Councilor of the Florida Section of ACS.

The students presented a research poster, a research paper, and a community outreach poster. In addition the FSC Chapter of the Student Affiliates of ACS was recognized for the sixth consecutive year at the Undergraduate Chapter Award ceremony for their community outreach efforts. Of over 1000 chapters in the U.S. and Puerto Rico, 100 chapters are chosen to receive outstanding, commendable or honorable awards. FSC received a commendable chapter award for the fourth consecutive year. Gauthier and Dr. James Worden, visiting assistant chemistry professor, served as advisor and co-advisor, respectively.

Students attending the conference included:

Justin Massing, a senior chemistry major and son of Larry Massing and Lisa Massing of Stuart, Fla.; Michele Mitchell, a senior chemistry and math major and daughter of Richard and Susan Stelitano of Mulberry, Fla.; Aaron Nelson, a junior chemistry major and son of parents Bradley and Dawn Nelson of Lakeland, Fla.; Jonathan Revels, a senior biology and chemistry major and son of John Revels of Winter Haven, Fla., and Christina Nguyen of Pearland, Texas; Joshua Samuel, a senior biology and chemistry major and son of Febby and Elsey Samuel of Lakeland, Fla.; Alison Louise Tamasi, a junior biology and chemistry major and daughter of Catherine M. Groh-Tamasi and Louis M. Tamasi of Jacksonville, Fla.; Lauryn Rachel Wolfe, a senior chemistry major and daughter of Daniel and Theresa Wolfe of Montverde, Fla.; and Kyle Yerton, a senior biology major and son of Kris Yerton and Dana Yerton of Lakeland, Fla.

The students made the following presentations:

Jonathan Revels, Aaron Nelson, Michele Mitchell, and Alison Tamasi presented a poster, “Advancing chemistry education through community involvement,” on their continuing efforts to introduce local elementary and high school students to the wonders of chemistry. Their poster was presented at the Successful Student Affiliates Chapters session of the Chemical Education Division. Faculty advisors were Gauthier and Worden.

Justin Massing and Kyle Yerton presented a paper on “Synthesis and coordination of novel imide ligands from 1,2,4-benzenetricarboxylic anhydride and aminobenzoic acid derivatives: A green chemistry approach,” at the Division of Inorganic Chemistry Symposium on Integration of Research and Education at the Frontiers of Inorganic Chemistry. This work was conducted at FSC under the direction of Gauthier as part of an independent study course.

Lauryn Wolfe and Joshua Samuel presented a poster, “Structures and energies of water on graphite surface with functional groups: As seen using Gaussian 98,”at the Undergraduate Poster Session on research they conducted as part of their honors course work at FSC under the direction of Dr. Leon Gardner, assistant chemistry professor.