Stephens receives Chemical Society scholarship

Stephens receives Chemical Society scholarship

Chelsea Stephens, a sophomore chemistry major at Henderson State University, has been awarded a $1,000 American Chemical Society (ACS) Scholars Program scholarship.

The ACS presents renewable scholarships to underrepresented minority students who plan to enter chemistry or chemistry-related fields. Stephens, who is Native American (Choctaw), was named the chemistry department’s Outstanding Freshmen this spring.

“Chelsea is the type of student who only comes around every once in a while,” said Dr. Vincent Dunlap, associate professor of chemistry at Henderson. “She has a genuine and enthusiastic interest in the subject that makes her the ideal student.”

Dunlap said Stephens, who is from Foremen, is “curious about the world around her, which is something the chemistry department strives to foster in our students.”

Stephens is already planning research projects at Henderson, Dunlap said.

“Given the department’s strong presence of research-active faculty, we welcome her and look for ways to foster her creativity,” he said. “Her selection as a recipient of this nationally-competitive scholarship illustrates that the American Chemical Society sees these same qualities in her.”