National Historic Chemical Landmark Dedication, Sept. 12, 2014

A public ceremony celebrating the landmark designation and Smith Hall centennial, which included the unveiling of a plaque in Kolthoff’s honor, was conducted, Friday, Sept. 12, on the steps of Smith Hall, Kolthoff’s long-time academic home. The dedication ceremony featured remarks from the University of Minnesota and the American Chemical Society. Speakers include Professor William Tolman, chair of the College of Science & Engineering’s (CSE) Department of Chemistry; Steven Crouch, dean of the CSE; Karen Hanson, provost and senior vice president for the University’s Office of Academic Affairs; Clyde Allen, regent from the University’s Board of Regents; Rebecca Guza, chair of the Minnesota Local Section of the American Chemical Society (ACS); Susan King, senior vice president of the ACS Journals Publishing Group; and Marinda Li Wu, immediate past president of the ACS.

A reception and tours followed the dedication ceremony. The tours focused on the Department of Chemistry’s collaborative and individual research excellence, its cutting-edge technology and equipment, interdisciplinary research, and its education of more than 10,000 students annually. The tours were opportunities to visit the department’s teaching, laser, chemical biology, and organic synthetic laboratories as well as learn about two of its research centers (the Center for Sustainable Polymers and the Chemical Theory Center), and its instrument facility.