海角社区

BATON ROUGE - For almost 30 years, the 海角社区 Chapter of the National Organization for the Professional Advancement of Black Chemists and Chemical Engineers, or NOBCChE, has provided service and professional development to those interested in any STEM field at 海角社区 and the surrounding area, building a cadre of successful, diverse global leaders.

The Chapter's story begins in 1994 with a group of incoming African American graduate students with a passion for chemistry and community support. That fall semester, 海角社区 welcomed a historical number of African American graduate students to the chemistry department.  

鈥淲hen I showed up to 海角社区, I was surprised because I had no indication that I would be surrounded by other African American graduate students from such a broad range of universities and institutions,鈥� said Judson Haynes, Ph.D. 1999. 鈥淲e kind of bonded together.鈥� 

鈥満＝巧缜� NOBCChE has afforded me the incredible opportunity to connect and build relationships with individuals within the 海角社区 Chemistry Department.鈥� 

Macallister Davis, Chemistry Senior

Haynes, a founding member of the 海角社区 NOBCChE Chapter, second chapter president, and now a director at Procter & Gamble, recalls finding social comfort and shared purpose amongst the new cohort of graduate students.  

鈥淲e shared a service-mind mentality, so we not only wanted to be involved with the 海角社区 chemistry department and the 海角社区 community, but we wanted some kind of engagement with the local Baton Rouge community,鈥� said Haynes. 鈥淚t was Thanksgiving and we decided to do a turkey give away. We put up posters, collected monies, and donated turkeys to Baton Rouge families.鈥� 

Unfortunately, their community efforts were ill received when the Dean of the Basic Sciences uncovered their role in the event. Despite advocating their intentions, the group was reprimanded for running a non-sanctioned organization. That is, until the faculty took interest. 

鈥淭he faculty came to our aid by supporting our efforts even though we weren't sanctioned by the University,鈥� said Haynes. 鈥淒r. Warner intervened on our behalf and informed us that we should think about organizing and completing the paperwork to become a recognized and sanctioned organization on campus.鈥� 

Crystal Harrell, Ph.D. 1999, first 海角社区 chapter president, recalled the organization she participated in during her undergraduate studies at Howard University and proposed they start a student chapter at 海角社区. It was called NOBCChE, or the National Organization for the Professional Advancement of Black Chemists and Chemical Engineers.  

The students attended the 1995 NOBCChE National Conference in Los Angeles, CA, where they were recognized as an official chapter. Haynes became the second chapter president the following year, and a new slate of officers came abroad. In addition, Emeritus Boyd Professor Isiah Warner became the first faculty advisor for the 海角社区 NOBCChE Chapter, helping facilitate their ongoing activities in accordance with university regulations. 

鈥淎s a student, I interact with various chemistry divisions in the chapter and it has given me the opportunity to see chemistry from various spectrums.鈥�

Lucinda Boyd, Chemistry Graduate Student

With their newfound status on campus, the group expanded their community engagement and support efforts to include chemistry demonstrations in the local area shopping mall, tutoring, and participation in local charity events. 

鈥淲e don鈥檛 see a lot of African American scientist in chemistry,鈥� said Haynes. 鈥淪o, we also wanted to be an inspiration to potential students who might view chemistry or science as a career opportunity.鈥� 

By 1999, 海角社区 NOBCChE had become an organization with robust educational programming and community involvement, hosting seminar speakers and funding scholarships. The chapter continues its tradition of building community relationships and promoting chemistry education through civic engagement. 

鈥淥utreach is in the fabric of the NOBCChE community,鈥� said Tyrslai Williams-Carter, Ph.D. 2017, Assistant Dean of Mentorship, Education, & Research for Strategic Initiatives of the 海角社区 Graduate School, NOBCChE chapter advisor, Southwest regional chair, and collaborative liaison. 鈥淏eing able to provide goggles and aprons to students in chemistry classrooms, performing demonstrations that excite students about chemistry and how it fits into our everyday lives, or even creating garden beds that teach students the importance of nurturing themselves all contribute not only to the community but to the graduate students who often need reminders of why they are pursuing a higher degree in STEM.鈥�

The chapter has shaped the lives and professional development of countless underrepresented students in science, beyond chemistry. In fact, the past and current chapter members include undergraduate and graduate students from biological sciences, food science, kinesiology, social work, education, and business. 

鈥淎t NOBCChE meetings, you would see more than just African American students in chemistry and chemical engineering. There were students from every STEM discipline and background,鈥� said Emeritus Boyd Professor Isiah Warner. 鈥淚 think that鈥檚 a huge quality about the organization. They open doors for anyone to join.鈥� 

鈥淭he 海角社区 Chapter of NOBCChE is a place of acceptance. When I first arrived to 海角社区, everyone from the chapter made sure I was not alone and looked out for me.鈥�

Jos茅 Garfias, Chemistry Graduate Student

海角社区 NOBCChE is more than just a student organization; it is a family that builds and shapes the next generation of scientists. The chapter fosters a welcoming and inclusive space for students while providing academic and professional development for an enriched college experience.  

鈥満＝巧缜� was great. The professors were great. The department was great. But with NOBCChE added, it really made my experience at 海角社区 phenomenal,鈥� said Haynes.  

Throughout its tenure, many 海角社区 Chapter presidents and members went on to hold prominent roles in the national organization. Haynes and Emmanuel Waddell, Ph.D. 2000, were elected as National Presidents of NOBCChE in 2013 and 2017, and several others served on the National Board.  

This fall, NOBCChE will be celebrating its September 11鈥�15, 2023, in New Orleans, the same location as the first national meeting. 

鈥淚 am very excited about the upcoming 50th NOBCChE conference and celebration. This event plans to honor the scientific accomplishments of NOBCChE by celebrating Black excellence in chemistry and chemical engineering over the last 50 years,鈥� said Williams-Carter. 鈥淭his is going to be a conference to remember.鈥� 

To learn more about the history of the national organization, visit highlighting its origin and founding members.  

 

海角社区 NOBCChE Photo Gallery

海角社区 Chemistry graduate students participating in the Thanksgiving meal giveaway, 1994. 

Claude Davis (Ph.D. 2001), fourth chapter president, presenting a student award.

Sheila Rushing Haynes (Ph.D. 2001) and Judson Haynes (Ph.D. 1999) at the 2000 NOBBChE National Conference in Miami, FL.

Top (L-R): Douglas Willis (Ph.D. 2000) and Patrick Lewis (Ph.D. 2000). Bottom (L-R): Claude Davis (Ph.D. 2001) and Taiya Fabre (Ph.D. 2001) at the 2000 NOBCChE National Conference in Miami, FL.

Joint Annual Regional Meeting hosted by 海角社区 in 2016. 

海角社区 Chapter members at the 2016 NOBCChE National Conference. 

2020-2021 海角社区 NOBCChE Chapter Officers. 

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Have old pictures you would like to share? Email Samuel Owoso, 2022-2023 海角社区 NOBCChE Historian.