As I write this note for the Crucible, I am somewhat surprised that 2023 and my year of service are coming to a close! I have learned a great deal about ACS, ACS Pittsburgh, and our community in 2023. The year has been so much fun mostly due to all the wonderful people I have met and worked with through ACS Pittsburgh. The year has been amazing, as we hosted two award dinners at the Grand Concourse, hosted live meetings at Jadens in Monroeville (kickoff), at Levity Brewing in Indiana, at the University of Pittsburgh, at the Mount Lebanon
Public Library, and at Waynesburg University (On the Road). Once again, ACS Pittsburgh was active participating at the Carnegie Science Center for National Chemistry Week, sponsoring a Project SEED student, supporting the WCC events, and so much more. All because excellent volunteers are willing to take the time to commit to our community (locally, regionally, &
globally). Thank you to the ACS Pittsburgh Executive Committee and to our volunteers who have made an impact!
Yet there is so much more to do – and I ask you to consider becoming even more involved. Our new Chair Alysia Mandato and Chair-elect Sam Leung are excellent leaders (they have done so much for me this year!) but I know they could use your help to have even more impact! It doesn’t have to be a time sink but every little bit helps. Maybe you could become involved with Project SEED to encourage high school students from diverse identities and socioeconomic backgrounds to engage in the chemical sciences. Maybe it is to volunteer at the Carnegie Science Center during National Chemistry Week. Maybe it is to attend the virtual ACS Pittsburgh Environmental lectures (Thank you Ronghong!). Of course, I hope you will get more involved, even becoming an officer! My service to the Pittsburgh section has been personally rewarding and I hope to work with you in the future as we need active members to keep ACS Pittsburgh moving forward.
Thank You,
Edward P. Zovinka