Recognition Luncheon for Abe Rennert

 

            The Education Committee of the ACS/CVS honored Dr. Abraham Rennert for all his contributions to the section as past chairman and long time chairman of the Education Committee at a surprise luncheon at Pier 75 Restaurant at the Ramada Inn, Windsor Locks, CT on Friday, July 11, 2003 when he made a brief visit to Connecticut.  An engraved plaque was presented to Dr. Rennert by Edward Fitzgerald, current chairman of the Education Committee, CVS/ACS and by Everett Turner, Chairman of the Connecticut Valley Section of ACS. Dr. Rennert's contributions to the section were noted, especially his chairmanship of the CVS, 1987 and especially as the ongoing motivator, facilitator, and implementer of the Chemistry Olympiad from 1984 to the time he retired and moved to LaVegas, Nevada in 2000. Dr. Rennert's contributions were part of a substantial effort by ACS that seeks to identify and encourage outstanding high school chemistry students.  Dr. Rennert was instrumental in opening the competition to all students of chemistry in public and private secondary schools in the CVS geographical area that encompasses Western Massachusetts and most of Connecticut.

            The Chemistry Olympiad is a national competition for high school students of chemistry.  The program involves a local section competition involving approximately 200 students from Western Massachusetts and Connecticut.  Winners of the local competition go on to take the national ACS qualifying examination.  The Connecticut Valley Section sent twelve students to the second phase of the competition in 2003.  The final competition is held overseas and thus becomes an international competition.  (To learn more about the Chemistry Olympiad go to the ACS Internet site under Chemistry Olympiad)