Chemistry student groups earn grant

The University of North Georgia's (UNG) Dahlonega and Gainesville chapters of the American Chemical Society (ACS) received a $1,000 ACS Student Communities Engagement Grant.

The ACS chapter in Dahlonega is known as the Society of Chemistry Students (SCS), and the Gainesville group is the Chemistry Club.  

"It gives our new students a community, letting them know they're not alone in the Chemistry & Biochemistry Department," Ashleigh Carroll, a senior from Stockbridge, Georgia, pursuing a degree in chemistry, said.

Logan Hikes, a senior from Cumming, Georgia, pursuing the same degree, shared a similar perspective.

"We're setting up important programs and systems that will keep helping SCS for years to come," Hikes said.

Dr. Ryan Meier, associate professor of chemistry and faculty adviser for SCS, said the grant is helping connect the student groups across campuses and that the mentoring program will pay dividends.

"Hopefully, this will help us keep our momentum going," Meier said.

Thanks to the funding, the groups were able to go on a community-building whitewater rafting trip and start a mentoring program pairing freshmen with juniors and seniors.