Salute to Excellence: Jim O'Brien and Keith Stine
One of two S2E awards conferred at the 2016 Continuity Dinner, Jim O’Brien and Keith Stine were recognized for their unbroken 15-year record of Career Day programs.
Held each spring at the UMSL Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, these programs draw visitors from area high school chemistry classes. Participants get a short talk (God, we hope it’s short) on the traditional four corners of chemistry (organic, inorganic, physical and bio), followed by a tour of the research and instrumentation labs, and demonstrations by the Chemistry Club. There’s a bit more talk about how degrees in chemistry prepare for a wide variety of careers, both traditional and non-.
Jim and Keith’s secret to continuing high demand for the program (in addition, of course, to the timely and timeless content) is the big finish: a pizza luncheon. Very clever, these chemists!
