The Recognition Committee identifies DivCHED members who have dedicated years of valuable service to DivCHED and chooses the recipient of the Outstanding Service to the Division award. The committee also solicits nominations for ACS National Awards and ACS Fellows.
The recipient of the 2026 Outstanding Service to the Division Award is Resa Kelly. The award will be presented at the Fall 2026 ACS meeting at the DivCHED Social.
Term lengths were adjusted to ensure smooth transitions from year to year. We will transition to a chair/co-chair model. Linda Cummings will continue to serve as chair for 2027 so that a co-chair can work alongside her.
It was proposed that the outgoing chair of the P&C Committee become a member of the Recognition Committee.
We agreed to expand the mission beyond the Outstanding Service Award to include communicating with the DivCHED membership regarding ACS National Award opportunities and ACS Fellows. Marcy Towns will spearhead this initiative.
Heather Ryan has solicited nominations from Committee/Board Chairs this summer for outstanding service to the division from a member of their respective committee or board.
Many thanks to Heather for her unwavering support and dedication in keeping us on track to achieve our goals. Her guidance and assistance have been invaluable throughout this period of transition for the committee.
The Call for Nominations for the Outstanding Service Award will be sent out before the end of the year for the 2027 Outstanding Service Award. We are refining the nomination process to improve the quality of nomination materials submitted.
We will update information on the website and in the operations manual based on the revised mission and committee structure.
We will develop a plan for communications with the DivCHED membership regarding ACS National Award opportunities and ACS Fellows. (Goal 3: Identifying and Communicating Value. Build and communicate the unique benefits and role of the Division of Chemical Education.) The goal is to nominate a DivCHED member for each of the National Awards and at least one and up to six members for acceptance as ACS Fellows per year.
It is likely that we will take over Committee Service Recognition nominations for outstanding service to the division from a member of their respective committee or board from Heather.
No money was requested for 2026. We have requested funds for travel to an ACS Meeting for 2027.