Cover Story

Detroit American Chemistry Society 2012 award recipients (from left): UDM's Chemistry/Biochemistry's faculty Matt Mio '97, Liz Roberts-Kirchhoff, Mark Benvenuto, (then students Kimberly Coughlin '12 and Thomas Sanday '12) and Meghann Murray.

Chemistry Club, a bonding opportunity for students

For more than seven decades, engineering and science students from Mercy College, University of Detroit and UDM have belonged—respective to their institutions—to the popular Chemistry Club. The Chemistry Club at Mercy College started early on in the College’s founding, and in 1949, the club became a member of the student association group of the Detroit section of the American Chemical Society. At U of D, the Detroit Student Chapter of the American Chemical Society was established in 1938.

Today, the Chemistry Club is a thriving student organization that averages at least 40 members a year. It is recognized nationally as one of the strongest student chapters in the country and has received numerous awards and recognitions, including the "Outstanding Chapter Award" for several years in a row. In 2012, the Detroit American Chemical Society recognized four UDM Chemistry/Biochemistry faculty and staff members at its annual awards dinner. The designation of all four awards to one institution is unprecedented and highlights the significant contributions UDM's Chemistry Department has made to the local Chemical Society.

Two students also received “Distinguished Student Awards,” one of whom was Thomas Sanday ’12, an account manager for Avon Automotive, servicing the Ford account.

“Belonging to a club is one of the most important things for students to do. It’s a way of getting to meet people. You learn how to study and get to interact with other students, the faculty and the administration,” said Sanday. “What you learn in the clubs is applied to your job, such as being able to multi-task and have various responsibilities,” he said. “It helps you grow as a person.

“Everyone in the Chem Club is there for you,” he added.

Sanday’s dad passed away two years ago around Christmas time. Sanday said his dad had a passion for chemistry. To pay tribute to him (Donaldson Sanday), the Chem Club made a clock in his honor.

“Every year since then,” said Sanday. “I give a donation to the UDM Chem Club in memory of my dad.”