DuPont has contributed $100,000 to the American Chemical Society (ACS) Scholars Program, it was announced today. The gift is the largest single donation to the program this year and will help 10 minority students to pursue college-level study of chemistry and chemical engineering.
“DuPont’s generous contribution is a significant statement of their commitment to utilize all the talent available in the workforce,” said Yvonne Curry, director of the Society’s Department of Diversity Programs. “They are a leader and a role model for supporting and mentoring the young people who will become tomorrow’s scientists.”
W. Christopher Hollinsed, DuPont senior program consultant in strategic technology planning, said the company is a strong supporter of the ACS Scholars Program because it is aware of demographic predictions for a shortfall in technically trained personnel in the 21st century and an increase in minority populations. "Developing minority scientists and engineers is the best solution to this problem," he said.
The ACS is the world’s largest scientific society. Its Scholars Program reaches out to African American, Hispanic, and Native American students who are seeking baccalaureate degrees and careers in the chemical sciences.
Established in 1995, the Scholars Program has awarded scholarships to over 1000 minority students, enrolled at more than 150 colleges and universities around the country. Students receive $2500-$3000 per academic year, and as long as they maintain a grade point average of 3.0 or above and demonstrate a financial need, they are eligible to renew their scholarships for each year of their undergraduate studies. In 1997, the program won the American Society of Association Executives’ Award of Excellence. The program currently supports 390 students nationwide.
Hollinsed said the program’s success in producing scholars and the rate at which many go on to graduate study “is an important step in transforming society by increasing the number of scientific and technically trained individuals who can contribute to its continued growth and prosperity.”
The 10 DuPont scholarship winners for 2001-2002 are:
- Rebeca Elizabet Gonzalez, Harlingen, Texas, freshman chemistry major attending Yale University of New Haven, Conn.
- Marcus A. Hill, Raleigh, N.C., freshman chemistry major attending Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, N.C.
- Hanifah A. Shakir, Clinton, Md., freshman chemical engineering major attending University of Delaware, Newark
- Elisa E. Calimano, San Juan, Puerto Rico, sophomore chemistry major attending Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge
- Reuben L. Cummings, Peoria, Ill., sophomore chemical engineering major attending Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge
- Lakedra Evans, Detroit, Mich, sophomore chemistry major attending Howard University, Washington, D.C.
- Jamie L. Gilmore, Youngstown, Ohio, sophomore chemical engineering major attending University of Notre Dame, Ind.
- Ana A. Alcaraz, Sealy, Texas, junior chemistry major attending Southwestern University, Georgetown, Texas
- Felicia D. Burkes, Augusta Ga., junior chemistry major attending Georgia State University, Atlanta
- Miguel A. Jimenez, La Habra, Calif., junior chemistry major attending UCLA
DuPont is a science company, delivering science-based solutions that make a difference in people’s lives in food and nutrition; health care; apparel; home and construction; electronics; and transportation. Founded in 1802, the company operates in 70 countries and has 90,000 employees.
A nonprofit organization with a membership of more than 163,000 chemists and chemical engineers, the American Chemical Society publishes journals and databases, convenes major research conferences, and provides educational, science policy and career programs in chemistry. Its main offices are in Washington, D.C., and Columbus, Ohio.