CONWAY — The University of Central Arkansas presented the first Jerald Manion Outstanding Chemistry Student award to Brian Besel, a senior chemistry major from Rogers.
Under the direction of Chemistry Professor Dr. Patrick Desrochers, Besel’s research efforts contributed to two peer-reviewed publications in the internationally-read journal, Inorganic Chemistry (2009 and 2011). Also, he was twice recognized with cash awards for outstanding oral presentations of his research. Throughout his time at UCA, Besel has worked as a teaching assistant for general chemistry, organic chemistry, and quantitative analysis. He has served as the primary supervisor of tutors for the department’s tutoring service. Besel plans to share his passion for chemistry by becoming a high school teacher.
The Manion Chemistry Award was made possible after Dr. Slaton Fry of Batesville, a 1980 UCA graduate of the chemistry department and Beebe, Ark. native, and his wife, Diann, established the endowment in honor of his former professor.
“I can truthfully say that I would never had made it through the four years at UCA and the subsequent four years of graduate school without Dr. Manion’s support and advice,” Fry said. “I had to pay my own way through school and had to work all four years while I was at UCA. Dr. Manion made sure I had plenty of opportunities to earn my way by helping me to find jobs and work while I was a full time student. He went out of his way to ensure I could finish my studies without having to quit for economic reasons. I know many other UCA chemistry graduates could and would say the same thing.”
Manion, a Conway resident, Beebe, Ark. native and a Harding College graduate, is the current longest-serving professor at UCA, having begun in 1965. During that time, he has mentored hundreds of chemistry and science majors while teaching, conducting research and leading the chemistry department. He remains active in promoting chemistry education to elementary and junior high students, as well as continuing to serve the university as a student advisor, committee leader, and university representative to the Arkansas Junior Academy of the Sciences.
The Jerald Manion Outstanding Chemistry Student award will be awarded annually to the top all-around student in the chemistry department. The student must excel in the classroom, conduct research and give service to the chemistry department and university during their tenure.
For more information on the UCA Chemistry Department call 501-450-3152. For information about the Jerald Manion Outstanding Chemistry Student Award and how to contribute to it, contact the UCA Foundation at 501-450-5288.
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