EDITORIAL
Dividends on a Medal The presence of students at an award dinner makes an admirable addition to the worth of such affairs
M
embers of the chemical profession like to show high and cordial regard for their fellows who have made outstanding contributions to the work. As a result of this, and of the size of the profession, medals or other awards each year are numerous. The recent Nichols Medal dinner for Dr. Herman Mark of Brooklyn Poly had an added point of gratification. Endowed by the heirs of William H. Nichols, the medal is awarded annually by the ACS New York Section. A few years ago, the Nichols Foundation offered additional funds to use in bringing students and young faculty members to the presentation. At the 1960 dinner, 137 students and junior members of the chemistry department faculties of New York colleges and universities were guests of the foundation and the New York Section. Last week we spoke of efforts to stimulate the mind and spirit of young scientists. Support of student participation in honoring scientists is a good step in this direction. Dinners last only an evening, but the effect may be far-reaching. The aspirants to careers in science see and hear and often meet a man whose name is known throughout the technical world. They also see a number of other scientists whose works they may know, who are there to add their notes of praise. Such occasions can permanently impress
the minds of students earnestly working toward accomplishments worthy of such note. Beyond the formalities of the occasion there were the warmth and projected enthusiasm of one of Dr. Mark's speeches. Without so much as stumbling over the explosion of the hotel's projector, and the consequent absence of slides, he wove a story of scientific discovery, the personalities involved, and the significance of an area of research that could have failed only with the most blasé audience. Surely the presence of a select group of promising students must add to the medalist's gratification. First, he can feel that there is in his audience a freshness of mind and attitude not yet affected by the sophistication of the dinnergoers. But more important is some satisfaction of that desire of any scientist to have a contributive contact with the living future. The sponsors of the Nichols Medal, as well as others following this custom, deserve praise for injecting new life into the traditional ways of honoring and encouraging scientific achievement.
^d^V^t^y^*MARCH
21, 1960 C & E N
7
