American Chemical Society Honors Prof. Bridget Gourley

September 19, 2002

September 19, 2002, Greencastle, Ind. - The American Chemical Society's Indiana section will present Bridget L. Gourley, associate professor of chemistry at DePauw and director of the University's Science Research Fellows and Women in Science programs, with an "Outstanding Achievement in Chemistry Award." Dawn A. Brooks, 2002 chair of the Indiana ACS section, says the group will "honor [Dr. Gourley's] academic and Women in Science leadership at DePauw University." The award will be presented at an ACS brunch Saturday, September 21, at the Indiana Historical Society in Indianapolis, with the theme, "Women in the Lead."

"I am honored to be recognized for all of my academic leadership at DePauw but particularly my work with Women in Science (WIS) because it underscores the value and importance of the mentoring that we do in WIS," Gourley says. "The chance we have to help our students recognize the breadth of opportunities open to them in science and to open the eyes of students in our community to the wonder of science is a responsibility I enjoy. The synergy that I have felt with my colleagues, particularly, Mary Kertzman and Kathleen Jagger, has allowed us to make a difference on many levels. The support we have had from the University has enhanced our efforts. I look forward to continuing to reach out to students at all levels."

One of Professor Gourley's WIS projects, the DePauw Institute for Girls in Science (DIGS), brings 30 young women (most about to enter high school) from around the state to the DePauw campus for a week, where they live in residence halls and learn about a range of subjects, including biology, chemistry, physics, astronomy, psychology, mathematics and geology. Middle school teacher Mike Van Rensselaer, a 1972 graduate of DePauw, called it [DOWNLOAD VIDEO: "Mike Van Rensselaer" 384KB] "a wonderful opportunity to have girls, not just in the community but also in the surrounding areas, be able to come and not just have the science and the classes but the camaraderie and the human things that went on this week too. It's a great thing."