The UTC Department of Chemistry hosted its twenty-sixth annual awards banquet to recognize the outstanding contributions of its students in the areas of service, research, and scholarship.
“It has been another successful year for the Department of Chemistry with our graduating students going on to medical school, pharmacy school, graduate school, chemical employment, and high school teaching. We are proud of all our graduating seniors. We are grateful for the many individuals who have made donations to our program and who support student success with scholarships and awards,” Dr. Tom Rybolt, Department Head and UC Foundation Professor of Chemistry, said.
Dr. Michelle Grundy, Assistant Professor of Medical Administration at Vanderbilt University, served as guest speaker for the event. Grundy is currently the Assistant Director of Graduate Programs in Biomedical Sciences. She is responsible for student recruitment and directs the admissions process for the Ph.D. programs and M.D./Ph.D. Program.
Congratulations to this year’s honorees:
Marvin Anthony Scholarship
Macon Acuff
Trevor Latendresse
Dylan Bryant
Rebekah Cecil
Chicago banker Marvin Anthony, a 1926 chemistry graduate of the University of Chattanooga, established this scholarship for students in chemistry and business administration in 1965. It honors outstanding chemistry students with an interest in business.
Murray Raney Scholarship
Jeff McDonald
Dakota Turner
This scholarship was established in 1988 by W. R. Grace & Company in memory of Murray Raney, Chattanooga-based inventor of world-famous metal catalysts. It honors a B.S. Chemistry student with interest in graduate school or industry.
Dr. Charles Robert Thomas Scholarship
Robert Fugatt
Sarah Asemota
This scholarship was established in 1968, in memory of Chattanooga physician Dr. Charles Thomas. It honors deserving students studying pre-medicine.
Mr. and Mrs. Eugene M. Thomasson Premed Scholarship
Hendrik Greve
Mr. and Mrs. Eugene M. Thomasson established this scholarship in 1929. It honors a qualified and deserving student pursuing pre-medicine.
Dr. Charles Robert Russell Scholarship
Kaley Stinnett
Patrick Carey
This award is in honor of Dr. Don J. Russell, a University of Chattanooga graduate and a graduate of the UT College of Medicine. He specialized in plastic and reconstructive medicine.
Santiago Family Biochemistry Scholarship
Kristina Henson
This scholarship recognizes an outstanding student in biochemistry.
Higdon Book Scholarship
Luiz Santos
Jennifer Hedman
Karen Merriweather
Wittmann Murphy
Michael Swallows
Alexandra Knox
Kaylin Johnson
Macon Acuff
Katherine Adorati
Taylor Hayden
Shauntra Spencer
Callianne Tidwell
Charles Thomas
Julea Tignor
Nijaa Murray
Payton Coffelt
Kristina Henson
Lindsey Goodin
Marjorie Fox Higdon, a 1947 graduate of the program, established an endowment to assist deserving students pursuing chemistry degrees.
Benjamin H. Gross Award
Eddie Dunn
Jessica Murray
Established in 1998, in honor of Guerry Professor Emeritus Dr. Benjamin Gross, this award honors the most outstanding senior chemistry major. Gross earned a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from the University of Chattanooga in 1952 and returned in 1964 to become head of the department. Gross served for 27 years in this capacity, and the many accomplishments of the Department of Chemistry over the past three decades are due in large measure to his outstanding leadership.
John W. Edwards Award
Katherine Adorati
Hendrik Greve
Michelle Smith
This award honors the most outstanding junior and sophomore chemistry majors. It is presented in memory of John W. Edwards, who served the University of Chattanooga as a chemistry faculty member and department head from 1918 to 1941. Edwards was a popular instructor who introduced research into the curriculum. He served for more than 20 years as chairman of the athletics committee and was instrumental in the formation of the Southern Conference.
Robert L. McNeely Award
Miranda Trentle
Established in 2008, in honor of Professor Emeritus Robert McNeely, this award recognizes an outstanding senior who is planning graduate studies in chemistry or in related areas. McNeely earned a B.S. degree from Duke and a Ph.D. from the University of North Carolina. He was a member of the chemistry department from 1969 to 1997, during which he also served as Department Head, Acting Dean, and Acting Associate Provost.
Thomas G. Waddell Award
Michael Hankins
Established in 2008, in honor of Guerry Professor Emeritus Thomas Waddell, this award honors an outstanding upper-level chemistry student who has shown a dedication to the department and who is planning graduate study. Waddell earned a B.S. degree from the University of Wisconsin and a Ph.D. from UCLA. After postdoctoral studies at UC Berkeley, he joined the Chemistry Department at UT Chattanooga in 1971, where he taught until his retirement in 2007. During his tenure at UT Chattanooga, Waddell was a productive researcher with nearly 100 publications in scientific journals.
William O. Swan Award
Treah Major
C. Drew Thomas
Kristin Knight
This award, in memory of William O. Swan, is presented to outstanding freshman chemistry majors. Dr. Swan served as a member of the chemistry faculty at the University of Chattanooga from 1941 to 1968. He was a popular instructor who is remembered for his outstanding General Chemistry course and for his exceptional rapport with students.
Organic Award
Katherine Adorati
Ajay Makwana
This award is given to outstanding students in organic chemistry
Senior Organic Award
Eddie Dunn
This award is given to an outstanding senior in organic chemistry
American Chemical Society (ACS) Student Affiliates Award
Jessica Murray
This award is given to a student member of ACS based on exceptional service and contributions to the student affiliates.
ACS Local Section Award
Jaslynn Murphy
This award is given to a senior based on service to the department, academic achievement, and interest in a career in chemistry.
Hypercube Award
Patrick O’Brien
This award is given to an outstanding student in computational chemistry.
Analytical Award
Jessica Murray
This award is given to an outstanding student in analytical chemistry courses.
Gregory Grant Award in Inorganic Chemistry
Trevor Latendresse
This award, in recognition of UTC Professor Emeritus Dr. Gregory Grant, is presented to an outstanding student in Inorganic Chemistry.
Outstanding Teaching Assistant
Jeff McDonald
This award is given to an outstanding teaching assistant.
Inducted into Gamma Sigma Epsilon
Dylan M. Bryant
Patrick J. Carey
Robert B. Fugatt
Hendrik J. Greve
Walter N. Harrington
Trevor P. Latendresse
Molly C. McEnery
David A. Mckeel
Evan J. Miller
Michael C. Orick
Jay N. Patel
Caitlin E. Quinn
Ashley D. Riner
Ethan M. Simmons
Michelle D. Smith
Kaley D. Stinnett
Gamma Sigma Epsilon is the National Chemistry Honor Society. Its purpose is to recognize students who have demonstrated outstanding achievement in the field of Chemistry. Gamma Sigma Epsilon was originally founded at William and Mary College in the late 1800s, and subsequently became an honor society of national stature. Dr. Irvine Grote and Dr. John Edwards established the UTC chapter of Gamma Sigma Epsilon in 1931, with the goal of recognizing excellence in our department.
