Fellow Councilors;
Let me begin by thanking you for your support, wisdom, and for the guidance that you have given to me during my beginning months in the presidential succession. Your collective insights are invaluable and they will serve as the foundation for much that we will do, together, in the coming years.
Entering the ACS presidential succession has been described to me in many different ways. Some have referred to these early months as “drinking from a fire hose!” Others have likened it to being in a free fall; reminding me that I was not pushed but rather, I chose to jump. However, I must confess that I feel like a child; full of wonderment, enthusiasm, and completely captivated by the possibilities. A child, whose mother just tied a pork chop around his neck and sent him out to play with the dogs; I am feeling the love. I hope that when the initial excitement is over that we will have measurable outcomes in STEM-based education and in the relationships that we have built.
There is great power in this presidential succession. We are an effective team with many shared interests. This synergy will not be lost as I continue to develop programming for 2009. I pledged to put a human face on chemistry and I am working with ACS staff and our committee structure to do just that. Extending and developing new relationships both here and abroad to help ensure that people around the world understand how we are “Improving people’s lives through the transforming power of chemistry.” With that important message delivered, we will be calling for enhanced and sustainable funding for innovation and education. The Division of Education and OLGA are helping me to better understand what we can do to more efficiently achieve this end. I am pleased to announce that the Dow Corning Foundation has made a $90,000.00 restricted gift to the ACS ($30,000.00 per year for three years) to support some of these strategic programming initiatives.
The YCC and several of the SAACS groups have been great friends as we begin to work together to ensure that the chemistry pipeline is full and that we are meeting the needs of the next generation of discoverer, dreamers, and explorers. The dialogs have been rich and productive. Their excitement for and dedication to the Society is contagious. I applaud their commitment in helping me put a human face on chemistry.
Finally, I challenge each of you to use your imagination; to wonder what this Society might be. Then, help me define the path for our continued success. I look forward to working with each of you as I progress along the presidential succession. Thank you.
Tom