Event celebrates 150 years of chemistry research, innovation

In 1857, with an allocation of $2,500 from the Board of Regents, construction began on the first chemistry building at a public institution in the United States. At the time U-M was considered to be in the middle of nowhere.

But the building attracted cutting edge researchers—when modern laboratory sciences were in their infancy—and launched a prestigious program. Over the years, the Department of Chemistry has earned recognition for its teaching and research.

In 1900, the late U-M Professor Moses Gomberg discovered free radicals, which formed the basis for modern organic free radical chemistry. The new $61 million Undergraduate Science Building, where students study in interactive groups that improve learning, is the latest manifestation of this legacy.

"Over the past 150 years, the Department of Chemistry has been a constant source of innovation in both research and teaching," says Brian Coppola, chemistry professor.

The public is invited to a three-day celebration to honor this legacy May 10-12, including a lecture by Nobel Laureate Sir Harold Kroto titled "Science, Society and Sustainability" at 4:45 p.m. on May 11 in room 1800 of the Chemistry Building, 930 N. University, Ann Arbor.

On May 12, the First Annual U-M-Science & Education Workshops and Mini-courses will be from 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Registration is $15 per person in advance or $25 at the door and includes lunch.

For information go to www.umich.edu/~michchem/chemSesqui/index.html.

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