Dear WCACS Member,

Ladies and Gentlemen, Start your Engines! It is my pleasure to welcome each of you to a new year. It is difficult to believe that I have to remember to date things with 2012. I am confident that each of you shares my appreciation to Dr. David Butcher and the entire Executive Committee for continuing to position Western Carolinas Section in National prominence. Our 2011 achievements were well recognized with examples such as "Outstanding Performance by a Local Section" for our ChemLuminary poster entry, another fine showing at the Roper Science Fall festival, and many excellent meetings with fine people and speakers. WCACS is a great section and will continue to be an outstanding representative to the Society in 2012.

I believe we have an interesting and diverse collection of topics and activities planned for our meeting schedule. Topics have been included that let attendees participate in the chemistry. We begin with a meeting on February 9th at Newberry College featuring Dr. Jack Breazeale, College of Charleston. Jack will present a discussion of laboratory safety, as well as provide a few updates regarding his involvement with the Civil War submarine, H.L. Hunley.

Other upcoming topics include Chemical Trivia, High Performance Fuels (ear plugs recommended), Beer: Chemistry & Quality, Spices, Famous Women, and Sustainability. It is an ambitious schedule, but one that I hope will appeal to many. So, expect to taste, hear, see, and, feel the rewards that chemistry brings to our lives.

One goal of our Section includes involving more chemists from industry. With this as back drop, please welcome and congratulate Dr. Nina Veas, Michelin Corporation, as Chair-Elect. Nina brings a great deal of enthusiasm to an already outstanding executive committee.

So, tune up your Trans Ams, Corvettes, taste buds and noses, and look forward to a safe and exciting year with your American Chemical Society.


Sincerely,
Blaine Childress
2012 Chair

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