Congratulations 2007-2008 Graduates!

Good news for grads--According to CNN, starting salaries are up this year for chemists with a BS, averaging $52,125 for 2008 graduates.

Chemists can find work in laboratories, pharmaceuticals, chemical manufacturing or research and development -- to name a few.

For the complete story, see:

http://www.cnn.com/2008/LIVING/worklife/04/28/cb.salaries.grads/index.html

Chrystal Sheaff received the 2008 Larry L. Nash Prize in Chemistry for her exemplary qualities including high ethical standards, integrity, dedication, and supportive attitude. Chrystal will receive her PhD in chemistry this May.

Melinda Ouwerkerk received the William H. Cone Award. Melinda will graduate in May with a B.S. Chemistry-General Option and B.S. Biology.

Michael Rush received the American Institute of Chemistry (AIC) Award. Michael will graduate in May with a B.S. Chemistry-Professional Option and B.S. Philosophy.

Brooke Anderson received the Merck Index Award. Brooke will graduate in May with a B.S. Chemistry-Professional Option and B.S. Math-Applied Modeling Option.

Todd Needs received the Merck Index Award. Todd will graduate in May with a B.S. Chemistry-General Option.

Melinda Ouwerkerk received the John B. George Memorial Award. Melinda will graduate in May with a B.S. Chemistry-General Option and B.S. Biology.

Suzanne Lanier received the Outstanding Undergraduate Research Award. Suzanne graduated in December with a B.S. Chemistry-Professional Option and a B.S.Ed. with a secondary chemistry teaching major.

Chemistry PhD student Michael Oestergaard was named a recipient of the 2008-2009 University of Idaho Doctoral Research Fellowship, awarded by the UI College of Graduate Studies.  This fellowship is the University's most prestigious award offered a graduate student.  The fellowship is for $25,000 and includes a waiver of out-of-state tuition in addition to the stipend.

Brooke Anderson, undergraduate researcher in the Hrdlicka Group, has been awarded the 2008 Senator Larry E. Craig Endowment Scholarship to participate in the 2008 ACS Spring meeting. Brooke will graduate in May with a B.S. Chemistry-Professional Option and B.S. Math-Applied Modeling Option.

Peter Griffiths was invited to a give one of the five lectures in the symposium, "The Future of Vibrational Spectroscopy" at the Pittsburgh Conference on Analytical Chemistry (Pittcon) 2008 at New Orleans to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Society for Applied Spectroscopy.  His paper will appear as a Focal Point article in a future issue of the Society's journal, Applied Spectroscopy.  We'll keep you posted as to when that appears.  It's always fun to predict the future - and hold the fortune teller to it!

 Peter Griffiths also organized a symposium on quantitative analysis courses at Pittcon in which ways of improving this course were discussed.  Among the other speakers was Dan Harris, author of the most widely used textbook on this topic.  Griffiths' paper will appear in the May issue of Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry. All students of Chem 253, past and present, should find this fascinating reading.

2008 Grants

Dr. Dayal T. Meshri (Ph.D. '61) inducted into University of Idaho Alumni Hall of Fame in 2008. Dayal earned his PhD degree while working with Dr. Shreeve.

Dr. Brian K. Hill (B.S. '65) recognized by University of Idaho Alumni Association with the Jim Lyle Award. Brian worked with Dr. Shreeve as an undergraduate.