Saundra McGuire, director of the University's Center for Academic Success and chemistry professor, is the recipient of this year's Council for Chemical Research Diversity Award. The Diversity Award is given to a person whose leadership had a positive impact on the advancement of minorities and women through recruitment, mentoring and increasing access to research careers within chemistry-based sciences and engineering. McGuire said she was pleased colleagues had chosen her for the honor. "I accept the award on behalf of the many students and colleagues I've worked with over the years who have helped to increase the number of students of all backgrounds who are able to pursue careers in the chemical sciences," McGuire said. Apart from the award, McGuire will receive an engraved award and a check for $3,000 to help fund a program in a chemistry-related field. Upon picking McGuire, the council noted in a letter that it was pleased to have the opportunity to recognize her work in developing highly effective strategies for supporting academic success in chemical sciences. "On behalf of the award selection committee, I would like to offer our personal congratulations on this well-deserved honor," Jeanne Hossenlopp, chair of the Diversity Award Committee, said in an e-mail to McGuire. Andrew Maverick, chemistry department chair, said the award was an exciting development for the department, where McGuire is an adjunct professor. "The Center for Academic Success serves many different disciplines," Maverick said. "But we feel this award is especially appropriate because of her longstanding efforts to improve student learning in chemistry." The Council for Chemical Research, an organization formed in 1979 and based in Washington, D.C., promotes cooperation in basic research and encourages high quality education in the chemical sciences and engineering. CCR's membership represents most of the U.S. chemical research enterprise, currently comprising more than 200 companies, universities and government laboratories with a combined budget of more than $7 billion. The award will be presented at this year's annual meeting scheduled for April 15-18 in New Orleans.
----- Contact Freke Ette at fette@lsureveille.com
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