Hardin-Simmons University’s new club SAACS: Chemical Society will meet on Sept. 27 at 1 p.m. in Holland 220.
“We saw that there are a lot of academic clubs on campus, but we wanted one that was geared more toward chemistry students and the science department,” Anne Guadard Correa Rangel, a senior biochemistry and molecular biology major from Brazil and president of SAACS: Chemical Society, said. “There is a lot of information about chemistry and about future job careers and summer internships out there that people don’t know, so we just wanted to raise awareness in that sense.”
The chemical society is HSU’s new chapter of the national club. The Student Affiliates of the American Chemical Society (SAACS) is an organization that colleges across the United States host so students with studies or interests in the field of chemistry can come together with like-minded individuals and learn from each other.
“Starting this club was a good idea to help show students that are interested in chemistry that don’t want to do pre-med or pre-dental or anything in the medical side of things and really do more research oriented activities or even industries,” Esteban Rodriguez, a senior chemistry major from Plano and Vice President and Treasurer of SAACS: Chemical Society, said. “You want to be able to have these resources to get into research and development or industry. You don’t know these things unless you have a club to provide you with that information.”
At the first meeting, the leaders will cover an overview of expectations for the club and its members, the Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) program, the American Chemical Society (ACS), and the upcoming Southwestern Regional ACS Conference. Light refreshments will be provided at the meeting.
“[Joining the club] shows you are interested in chemistry, not just what you have to do, but outside of class,” Guadard Correa Ragel said. “It provides you a lot of information and resources. You get to meet people with the same interest as you and network.”
Anyone is welcome to join the club, no matter the major, as long as they have at least a 2.0 GPA. To join, fill out the link in the bio of their Instagram page @saacs_chemicalsociety or attend the meeting and get plugged in with the leaders.
“If I had to summarize the club in a few words, I would say ‘knowledge and careers in chemistry,’” Rodriguez said. “I think that is the most important part of our club, because even if you don’t want to do a PhD, you have so many things you can do. [We want] to inform our members.”
The club is run by Guadard Correa Rangel, Rodriguez, and Ashleigh Power, a junior chemistry major from Hurst and secretary/social media manager for SAACS: Chemical Society. Dr. Jemima Ingle, professor of chemistry, serves as the club’s advisor.
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