Dr. Gerald Gries, professor and chair of chemistry and physics, received a service award Monday, Sept. 17, from the American Chemical Society, Greater Houston Section for serving as the Chemistry Olympiad coordinator for more than 15 years.

The Olympiad is a multi-tiered competition designed to stimulate and promote achievement in high school chemistry. Local competitions are conducted to select nominees for a national exam. Local sections select their nominees by various means including: a standardized local section exam, a locally-prepared exam, laboratory practicals, teacher recommendations, or other regional events with competitive activities among school teams.

The Greater Houston Section competitions have been held at the University of St. Thomas and supervised by Gries. After the local competitions, students are chosen for the national competition. A national team is selected for international competition. Several Houston-area students have been on the U.S. national team in the past.

Photo caption: Dr. Gerald Gries receives Service Award from Dr. Tracey Simmons-Willis, Chair of the American Chemical Society Greater Houston Section.