ACS’s educational outreach: When rain gives way to flowers

Abstract

You’ve likely heard the old adage, “April showers bring May flowers.” This metaphor for a silver lining in troubling times rang true for me this spring. On April 1, I learned about the passing of a good friend, mentor, and advocate for chemistry and inclusive access to education and careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM): Robert L. Lichter of the ACS Northeastern Section (see page 37). Bob was a dedicated academic, having been a professor at Hunter College and Stony Brook University as well as serving with the Research Corporation as a program officer and as the executive director of the Camille & Henry Dreyfus Foundation. More than that, however, Bob was a change agent, leaving every program he served better than when he started. That includes the American Chemical Society. A proud 50-year member and ACS Fellow, Bob served on and led a number of committees and