I had a wonderful time at the American Chemical Society (ACS) meeting in Chicago. I spent most of my time with the CTA (Committee on Technician Affairs), and the Division of Technicians. On Tuesday I had dinner at the Davison of Technicians celebration. Others at the celebration were John Engelman (1964), David Stickles (1974), and David Dellar (1983), I guess at the years, but they're close.

My but we have come a long way. In one of my early years at Ferris I wrote to the ACS and asked if I would be permitted to establish a Student Affiliate Chapter at Ferris. NO! (in big letters). In the late 1970s I did start one.

The ACS's CTA was established in in the late 1960s or early 1970s. I served on this committee for nine years, about 1978-1987. Toward the end of my appointment the CTA we talked about certifying AAS programs in Chemical Technology. Ferris' ICT program became the second one to be certified. Thanks to Bill Killian for keeping the ball roll rolling, and giving a quality education to ICT.

In 1991 the ACS division of Technicians was established. What a wonderful thing. In Chicago we celebrated its 10th anniversary. The big news of 2001 took place in ACS council chambers in Chicago at the Fall meeting. A proposed amendment to the constitution was adopted. This amendment states explicitly that a person with a two-year degree of equivalent in chemical science or chemical technology and five years of employment in the chemical sciences is eligible for full membership in ACS.

I remember John Engleman and Sandra (Bursch) Pfeiffer becoming members, but they had to petition and demonstrate and be HIGHLY recommended.

I am pleased that this amendment passed (reported in Chemical and Engineering News October 1, 2001). Congratulations, we have earned this privilege.

I hope that many of my students are members in the ACS. I wonder who they are, and how long they have been members. I have been a member for over 50 years.