ACS President Bursten leaves lasting legacy

ACS President Bruce E. Bursten had a productive year, promoting the importance of education and more effectively communicating the beauty, value and centrality of chemistry to policymakers and the public.

In addition to traveling the world, representing ACS at conferences and meetings in China, Italy, Norway and a host of other countries, President Bursten initiated efforts that led to the establishment of the ACS Fellows Program.

Near the end of his term, he joined national leaders in politics, business, research and education, including U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, at a summit at Princeton University, which explored ways to renew America's commitment to science and technology. Such an effort, the panelists concluded, may be the best long-term cure for the nation's ailing economy.

ACS President-Elect Thomas H. Lane plans to build on President Bursten's legacy, particularly stressing the importance of education and science literacy, as well as forging relationships in our communities that help put a human face on chemistry.