Professor Emeritus Lawrence Barton and Professor Cynthia Dupureur were two of the presenters at the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry’s 60th anniversary celebration on Saturday in the Millennium Student Center rotunda. (Submitted photos)

Alumni, faculty and current students gathered in the Millennium Student Center rotunda on Saturday afternoon to celebrate 60 years of Great Chemistry at the University of Missouri–St. Louis.

Attendees of the reception heard from alumni or influential faculty members who shared highlights and personal reflections from each of the past six decades as the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry grew and evolved to serve students and meet the changing needs of the industry.

Alumni (from left) Claire Brook and Michael Washington and Professor Emeritus James Chickos were among the dozens of attendees at Saturday’s celebration of 60 years of chemistry at the University of Missouri–St. Louis. The event took place in the Millennium Student Center rotunda and featured highlights and reflections from each decade of the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry’s history.

Professor Emeritus Lawrence Barton discussed the first 10 years in the department’s history. Rick Hoyt, a 1975 graduate, spoke about the time spanning 1974-1982. Steve Kolodziej, who earned a bachelor’s degree in 1987 and a PhD in 1992, shared highlights from 1983-1992. Jean (Huhmann) Vincent, a three-time graduate with a BA in 1992, a BS in 1994 and a PhD in 1996, spoke about the period from 1993-2002. James “JB” Carroll, who earned his BS in 2008, his master’s in 2010 and his PhD in 2013, described the years from 2003-2012, and Professor and former Chair Cynthia Dupereur covered the department’s history up to the present day.

Current Chair Keith Stine and Chemistry Alumni Network Chair Michael Finkes kicked off the festivities and also ended the program by recognizing a recent $1 million gift from Surendra and Karen Gupta, describing Gupta’s longtime friendship and support of the program and the impact the gift will make as the program begins its next 60 years.

View more photos from Saturday’s celebration of 60 years of Great Chemistry at UMSL on Flickr.