Chemistry society inducts charter members

December 8, 2003

Alumna Susan Fowler Hallowell, Class of ’74 and a research chemist for the U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security, joined 21 McDaniel College chemistry students and their adviser, Dr. Richard Smith, as charter inductees to the College’s newest honor society, the Gamma Beta chapter of Gamma Sigma Epsilon.

This national honorary chemical society, was founded at Davidson College, Davidson, N.C., on December 19, 1919. According to its web site, the organization now has 22 active chapters in 13 states, and is growing rapidly. Thousands of students have been members of Gamma Sigma Epsilon since its inception. McDaniel College is the first in Maryland to be granted a chapter and joins such institutions as Villanova University, Mercer University (Georgia), and the University of Kentucky.

The Dec. 5 induction ceremony was held in McDaniel Lounge following Dr. Hallowell’s presentation, "A technological framework for Homeland Security."

Senior chemistry and physics dual major James Lipchock and newly named chapter president, led the petition to establish a campus chapter. Membership in Gamma Sigma Epsilon requires students to successfully complete 20 hours of chemistry courses with a minimum g.p.a. of 3.0 in both chemistry and general coursework.

This new chapter brings the total number of academic honor societies to 20, including Phi Beta Kappa. Provost Sam Case was thrilled to learn about this new academic organization. "It’s another way we pay tribute to students who exhibit excellence," he said.

Student charter members of Gamma Sigma Epsilon include:

Megan Marie Norris
Patricia Lynn Willauer
Jason Jeffrey Heavner
Megan Elizabeth Portner
Lyndsay Carey Bare
Sarah Elizabeth Vannoy
Ina Puleri
Jessica Marie Stinnette
Emily Elizabeth Potts
Emily Bridget Vance
James Michael Lipchock
Leonardo Anthony Geraci
Christopher David Patterson
Diane Lynn Witte
Jennifer Elizabeth Miller
Thadeus Samuel Gruss
Edward Allen Gruss, Jr.
Andrew Jamison O'Carroll
Chava Shulamit Roth
Julia Keane

Honorary members:

Dr. Richard Smith
Dr. Susan Hallowell

Contact Rita Beyer, associate director of media relations, at 410-857-2294.

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