Contact: Kimberly Osborne (304) 766-3363 kosborne@wvstateu.edu
INSTITUTE, W.Va. – West Virginia State University (WVSU), along with community organizations, has received a Partners for Progress and Prosperity Regional Award (P3) from the American Chemical Society (ACS) for their efforts with flood relief.
“In response to the historic flood of 2016, West Virginia State University quickly pulled together to provide for our community in a way that only the Yellow Jacket Nation can—with an unmatched commitment to serving others. Receiving this esteemed recognition for our service efforts is a testament to our strong community connection and I am proud of our students, faculty, staff and community partners who made a difference for so many,” said WVSU President Anthony L. Jenkins.
WVSU students, staff and faculty, as well as the Kanawha Valley Section of the ACS, partnered with the Chemical Alliance Zone (CAZ) in June 2016 following the devastating floods.
Led by WVSU Professor Dr. Micheal Fultz, the University worked with CAZ and its members to provide relief to the affected schools by replacing science equipment. The groups’ collected items to help area schools where floods ravaged their labs and nothing could be salvaged.
Donations came in from across the community and country, including from WVSU alumni, Preiser Scientific and Mylan Pharmaceuticals, to name a few. They collected Spec 20’s for Advanced Placement Chemistry experiments, analytical balances, glassware, drying ovens for science study kits among other items. The items were stored in an unused lab at WVSU and soon the entire room was filled with boxes of donations.
The group’s efforts helped Clendenin Elementary and Herbert Hoover High School replace their labs and science equipment.
“This was a perfect example of a group coming together to find a way to help those in need. We were pleased to be a part of the larger effort coordinated by Dr. Michael Fultz, and it shows how the chemical community remains as an important player in the state and community,” said Dr. Kevin DiGregorio, executive director of the Chemical Alliance Zone.
“Members of the ACS were honored to help with the science recovery of the schools affected by the June 2016 floods,” said Fultz, who also serves as chair of the Kanawha Valley Section of the ACS. “Education and outreach has been a focal point for us and helping to resupply the schools’ labs is a responsibility that professional scientists worked to meet through private and business donations.”
The award from the American Chemical Society recognizes successful and exemplary partnerships through the support of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Education and research.
The groups’ efforts earned them the Partners for Progress and Prosperity award plus $1,000 of award money to be used to further recovery activities. This award will be presented at the 48 Central Regional Meeting in Dearborn, Michigan, on June 8.
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