Press Release

Saint Mary's College Professor Accepts National Award on Behalf of Project SEEDProf. Bays and his wife June at State Department dinner May 13, 2009

 

Contact:
Gwen O’Brien
Director of Media Relations
Saint Mary's College
(574) 284-4579 (desk)
(574) 286-4977 (cell)

May 14, 2009 (Notre Dame, Ind.)- Saint Mary's College chemistry professor J. Philip Bays represented the American Chemical Society’s (ACS) Project SEED summer research program at a black tie dinner and ceremony on May 13 at the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C. The event honored recipients of the 2009 National Science Board Public Service Awards, including Project SEED (Summer Experiences for the Economically Disadvantaged). Bays is the immediate past chair (2006-08) of the ACS committee which oversees the program.

Project SEED focuses on two goals: fostering interest in science as a career and encouraging achievement in science, mathematics and engineering among high school students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. Established in 1968, Project SEED provides summer research opportunities for students in academic, industrial, and government research laboratories across the country under the supervision of volunteer scientists who serve as mentors. In its 40-year history, over 9,000 students have participated in the Project SEED program.

Bays represented the hundreds of mentors who make the program work, the ACS staff who handle the day-today operations, the committee members who oversee the program, and the students who have benefited from it. "Most of these students go on to college, something they might never have thought they could do before participation in the program," Bays said. "We count PhD's from Harvard and other places, lawyers, doctors, teachers, chemists, and a large variety of other professionals amongst the past participants in the program. I am brought to tears when I hear them tell their stories, but know that we have helped them."

If you would like to interview Prof. Bays about Project SEED, please contact Gwen O'Brien , director of media relations.

About Saint Mary’s College: Saint Mary’s College, Notre Dame, Ind., is a four-year, Catholic, women’s institution offering bachelor’s degrees in more than 30 major areas of study. The College has six nationally accredited academic programs: social work, art, music, teacher education, chemistry and nursing. Saint Mary's College ranks among the nation's top liberal arts colleges in U.S. News & World Report's 2009 annual survey. Founded in 1844, Saint Mary’s is a pioneer in the education of women, and is sponsored by the Sisters of the Holy Cross.