Dr. Diane Grob Schmidt ’67, a retired chemist from Procter & Gamble, is leading the American Chemical Society (ACS) as president in 2015. Schmidt, a UTC chemistry graduate, was named the 1995 UTC Distinguished Alumni Award winner.
Schmidt received her M.S. from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and her Ph.D. from the University of Cincinnati, where she has an appointment as an Adjunct Professor in the Department of Chemistry.
As president, she will focus on five important areas:
- Employment – work to create an atmosphere that encourages growth and the addition of U.S. jobs.
- Education-provide leadership in the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) fields of our educational system.
- Scientific Information- provide easy access to trusted scientific information.
- Advocacy- advocate for improved and sustained funding of the Chemical Enterprise.
- Collaboration- expand ACS collaborations with other societies worldwide.
Diane Grob Schmidt with Chancellor Steve Angle
This honor “reflects in a most positive way on the traditions of learning, leadership, and service within the UTC Chemistry Department. We are proud of Dr. Schmidt and grateful for her past, present, and future service to the chemical and scientific community,” said Dr. Tom Rybolt, head of the UTC Chemistry Department.
Since the first chemical degree was granted by our University, more than 1500 chemists have graduated. Alumni have used their knowledge and skills in industry, medicine, research, teaching, and other varied fields.
Diane Grob Schmidt with Gretchen Potts
“For our department and our future students, Dr. Schmidt’s election is an inspiration of what can be achieved and offered to others through hard work, determination, and a molecular perspective,” Rybolt said.
The American Chemical Society is a nonprofit organization chartered by the U.S. Congress. With more than 161,000 members, ACS is the world’s largest scientific society and a global leader in providing access to chemistry-related research through its multiple databases, peer-reviewed journals and scientific conferences. Its main offices are in Washington, D.C., and Columbus, Ohio.
UTC delegation attends reception honoring Schmidt. Attending were, front left to right: Ben Gross, Chemistry Professor Emeritus; Schmidt; Chancellor Steve Angle; Dominique Belanger; Gretchen Potts; back row: Greg Grant, Chemistry Professor Emeritus; Warren Schmidt; Fred Obear, Chancellor Emeritus; Paul Clark, UTC Director of Development, Arts and Sciences; Bryan Rowland, Vice Chancellor for Development and Alumni.
