Seton Hall’s American Chemical Society Student Chapter Earns Dual National Awards

The Seton Hall University student chapter of the American Chemical Society (ACS) has earned recognition on the national stage, receiving both the Commendable Student Communities Award for the 2024–25 academic year and the Green Chemistry Award from the ACS Green Chemistry Institute. These honors reflect the chapter’s sustained commitment to outreach, education and creativity in chemistry programming.

According to the Green Chemistry Institute, Seton Hall’s chapter was recognized for its “thoughtful approach to chemistry content and excellent explanations of event content,” with student leaders completing the required number of activities focused on the tenets of green chemistry. Notably, this marks the second year the chapter has received both awards — an achievement shared by only a select number of ACS student groups nationwide.

Faculty Guidance and Student Leadership

The chapter’s work is supported by Joseph J. Badillo, Ph.D., associate professor and director of Graduate Studies in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, and Cosimo Antonacci, Ph.D., Chemistry Laboratory director and lecturer. Both faculty members have played key roles in mentoring students, encouraging innovative programming, and strengthening connections between the department and the wider community.

Student leadership has also been central to the chapter’s success. Ester Carrera, last year’s ACS president and now a graduate student in the department, laid the groundwork for ongoing initiatives. Current president Aliye Pehlivan and officer Kira Bringemeier have continued that momentum, working alongside other dedicated members to sustain outreach programs and campus engagement.

Events, Outreach and Experiments

Throughout the year, the chapter organized a range of hands-on activities aimed at making chemistry accessible and engaging. On campus, students participated in the Fall Involvement Fair, inviting peers from across disciplines to explore opportunities in chemistry. Off campus, they emphasized outreach through visits to local schools, including Immaculate Conception High School, where they introduced students to laboratory techniques and real-world applications of chemistry.

The chapter also showcased its creativity at the Liberty Science Fair, presenting experiments such as: spinach extraction and photosynthesis labs, fingerprint analysis using oil, thin-layer chromatography plates and UV light, and Cyanotype paper printing, a project that earned them second place in the competition. These activities not only engaged younger students but also demonstrated how chemistry can be both practical and inspiring.

Recognition Beyond Campus

In addition to their local and regional efforts, chapter members were invited to attend the National ACS Meeting in Washington, D.C. to formally receive their awards. With approximately 30–40 schools nationwide earning the Green Chemistry Award each year, Seton Hall’s repeated recognition underscores the chapter’s dedication and the significant effort invested by both students and faculty advisors.

For more information on the American Chemistry Association at Seton Hall University, check out the chapters Instagram @shu_acs, and see Badillo’s Lab site and the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry.

Categories: Nation and World, Science and Technology