We are pleased to announce a new award for 2026, the St Louis Section Gateway Award! The nomination period has been extended to May 30, 2026. Please direct all inquiries to Rhonda Woerndlerhonda.woerndle@bayer.com .
St Louis Section Gateway Award
Award Criteria: An ideal candidate will have the following qualities and can provide evidence through publications, patents, and other materials or testimony not protected by intellectual property. The candidate must also be able to participate in a symposium or lecture highlighting their achievements.
The St Louis Section Gateway Award (henceforth referred to as the Gateway Award) shall be presented for outstanding contributions to the application of chemistry resulting in tangible benefits to society. The Gateway Award specifically honors achievement in translating chemical knowledge into practical solutions with demonstrable societal benefit.
An honorarium of $2000 will be awarded to the winner in addition to recognition at an awards dinner.
An ideal candidate will have the following qualities and can provide evidence through publications, patents, and other materials or testimony not protected as intellectual property.
- A body of work that has demonstrated a significant contribution to chemical research, chemical industry, and/or society, including some combination of scientific breakthroughs, creating business opportunities, and/or increasing the effectiveness of products and services.
- Has overcome scientific challenges, advanced innovation, and fostered an environment for creativity and/or entrepreneurship.
- Served as a thought leader in their sector, managing collaboration, team building, and organizational transitions.
Eligibility:
Persons eligible for the Gateway Award are members or affiliates of the Section whose primary professional activities are conducted in industrial, governmental, non-profit organizations, or other non-academic settings, with the following exceptions: the Section Chair, Immediate Past Chair, members of the Awards Committee, members of the Awards Jury, and prior recipients of either the Gateway Award, the Midwest Award, or any national award administered by the SOCIETY.
Differentiation:
Unlike the St. Louis Award, this award will be open only to candidates with high achievement in industrial and governmental professions. Candidates primarily from academia will not be considered and should be nominated for the St. Louis Award.
Administration:
The Gateway Award Chair for 2026 is Rhonda Woerndle, rhonda.woerndle@bayer.com
Operational considerations:
- Nominations are due by April 30.
To facilitate the review by the Award committee, nomination packets should be submitted as a single pdf file, with the following items in this order:
- a cover page with the award name, the nominee’s name, contact information, and the date of the nomination
- a nominating letter, highlighting the candidate’s accomplishments and potential for advancing the profession of chemistry, as well as their scientific and/or societal impact
- two additional supporting letters from individuals who have had a close professional affiliation with the nominee (internal or external)
- a brief biography of the nominee, including participation on important panels, editorial boards, and committees, cross-functional and/or cross-divisional activities, and external outreach activities (not to exceed one page)
- a concise description of the nominee’s chief accomplishments and impact in their field (not to exceed one page)
- a selected list of publications, patents, books and book chapters, awards, and external presentations; may include documented impact of their work featured in the media (not to exceed two pages)
Please send nominations and inquiries to the Gateway Award Coordinator.