WSU NOBCChE never stops

As pandemic health and safety policies lifted or evolved to accommodate more in-person meetings, the WSU National Organization for the Professional Advancement of Black Chemists and Chemical Engineers' (NOBCChE) 2021-22 academic year was once again full of camaraderie and service.

The group completed its K-12 outreach objective in the winter, working to create "elephant toothpaste" and slime, study fingerprints and extract fruit DNA with University Prep Academy students from the Mark Murray campus. WSU NOBCChE also led enrichment sessions to solidify students' understanding of school concepts. The grand finale included a tour of WSU's Department of Chemistry, a pizza lunch and an award ceremony celebrating the students.

The NOBCChE celebrated and supported its members by hosting various professional development and social events. The group began the fall semester with a potluck at Belle Isle for new and returning members and throughout the year held virtual seminars, such as learning about the novel uses of killer snails with Mandë Holford, and job searching and finishing Ph.D.s strong with WSU NOBCChE alumni. Finally, members enjoyed Michigan pastimes by giving out candy at a Detroit trunk-or-treat event and attending a Plymouth Orchards & Cider Mill outing with hayrides, apple cider and cake donuts.

The group is eager to once again uphold its tenets of service, professional development and community in the Detroit area throughout the 2022-23 school year.

Cathleen Saraza