DED UN 18 O 98 F yyyy N yyyy Y O T R E I T H C E N O yyyy A E S S S L T A E A C R C I yyyyN S M S E E H C C T N IO A November 2003 Vol. LXXXII, No. 3 yyyyC N • AMERI Monthly Meeting Norris Award to David N. Harpp J.F. Norris and the Award Biography of J. F. Norris, Origin of the Award Book Review “Thieves, Deceivers and Killers” by Wm. Agosta Communication An article by D. Lipp Garden State Exhibit Center Somerset, NJ • 600+ Papers November 17–20, 2003 •Invited and Contributed Symposia and Poster Sessions • Eight Major Award Presentations • 200+ Exhibitors • One-and Two-Day Short Courses • Exhibitor Workshops • Employment Resource Center • Special Symposium for the 75th Anniversary of the Discovery of the Raman Effect Contact us at: 610-485-4633 (ph) 610-485-9467 (fax) [email protected] (e-mail) " " E s A r S a — e Visit the EAS website at www.eas.org Y E d 0 u 4 For updates on program, short courses, workshops, c r a e t v i O registration, and housing; or to request a copy of the ng r A fo na sts Preliminary Program for the 2003 EAS lytical Chemi 2 The Nucleus November 2003 The Northeastern Section of the American Chemical Society, Inc. Office: Marilou Cashman, 23 Cottage St., Contents Natick, MA 01760. 1-800-872-2054 (Voice or FAX) or 508-653-6329. James Flack Norris and the Award _________________________4 e-mail: [email protected] Biography of Norris and how the award came about Any Section business may be conducted via the business office above. NESACS Homepage: Monthly Meeting _______________________________________5 http://www.NESACS.org J.F. Norris Award to David N. Harpp (McGill University): “Communicating Samuel P. Kounaves, Webmaster Chemistry” Washington, D.C. ACS Hotline: 1-800-227-5558 Officers 2003 New Nucleus Editor Sought ______________________________8 Chair: John L. Neumeyer 12th Annual Northeast Regional Undergraduate Day __________9 Harvard Medical School/McLean Hospital November 1 at Boston University; Research talks, résumé reviews, workshops 115 Mill St., Belmont, MA 02478 617-855-3388; [email protected] Councilor Reports ______________________________________9 Chair-Elect: Jean A. Fuller-Stanley Reports from the National Fall ACS Meeting Chemistry Department, Wellesley College Wellesley, MA 02481-8203 Continuing Education __________________________________10 781-283-3224; [email protected] ACS Short Course: Statistical Analysis of Data. Nov. 20-21 at Northeastern Immediate Past Chair: Morton Z, Hoffman University Chemistry Department, Boston University Boston, MA 02215-2507 Book Review _________________________________________11 617-353-2494; [email protected] “Thieves, Deceivers and Killers. Tales of Chemistry in Nature” by W. Agosta, Secretary: reviewed by D. J. Sardella Michael Singer Sigma RBI 3 Strathmore Rd. Board of Directors ____________________________________13 Natick, MA 01760-2447 Notes of the meeting of May 8, 2003 508-651-8151x291 [email protected] Communication_______________________________________14 Treasurer: James Piper By Dana Lipp 19 Mill Rd., Harvard, MA 01451 978-456-3155 Cover: David N. Harpp (Mc Gill University), 2004 James Flack Norris [email protected] Awardee for Excellence in Education. Auditor: Anthony Rosner Deadlines: January 2004 issue: November 13, 2003 Archivist: Myron Simon February 2004 issue: December 11, 2003 20 Somerset Rd. Newton, MA 02465; 617-332-5273 [email protected] Trustees: Joseph A. Lima, Esther A.H. Hopkins, Michael E. Strem, Councilors: Alternate Councilors: Term Ends 12/31/2003 Term Ends 12 /31/2003 The Nucleus is distributed to the members of the Northeastern Section of the American Chemical Catherine E. Costello Wallace Gleekman Society, to the secretaries of the Local Sections, and to editors of all local A.C.S. Section publications. William Klemperer Arno H.A. Heyn Forms close for advertising on the 1st of the month of the preceding issue. Text must be received by the Dorothy J. Phillips Howard R. Mayne editor six weeks before the date of issue. Barbara Wood Alfred Viola Editor: Arno Heyn, 21 Alexander Rd., Newton, MA 02461, Term Ends 12/31/2004 Term Ends 12/31/2004 Tel: 617-969-5712, FAX: 617-527-2032; e-mail: [email protected] Thomas R. Gilbert Timothy B. Frigo Patricia H. Hamm Donald O. Rickter Associate Editors: Myron S. Simon, 20 Somerset Rd., W. Newton, MA 02465, Tel: 617-332-5273 Michael J. Hearn Lawrence T. Scott Mukund S. Chorghade, 14 Carlson Circle, Natick, MA 01760: Arlene W. Light Derk A. Wierda [email protected] Term Ends 12/31/2005 Term Ends 12/31/2005 Board of Publications: Marietta H. Schwartz (Chair), Patrick M. Gordon, Vivian K. Walworth, Mary T. Burgess Michaeline F. Chen E. Joseph Billo (Consultant) Morton Z. Hoffman Patrick M. Gordon Business Manager: Karen Piper, 19 Mill Rd., Harvard, MA 01451, Tel: 978-456-8622 Doris I. Lewis Truman S. Light Amy E. Tapper Michael Singer Advertising Manager: Vincent J. Gale, P.O. Box 1150, Marshfield, MA 02050, Tel: 781-837-0424; FAX: 781-837-8792 All Chairs of standing Contributing Editors: Edward Atkinson, History of Chemistry; Dennis Sardella, Book Reviews; Committees, the editor Marietta H. Schwartz, Software Reviews. of THE NUCLEUS, and Calendar Coordinator: Donald O. Rickter, e-mail: [email protected] the Trustees of Section Proofreaders: E. Joseph Billo, Mukund S. Chorghade, Donald O. Rickter, M.S. Simon Funds are members of the Webpage: Webmaster: Samuel P. Kounaves, [email protected] Board of Directors. Any Asst. Webmasters: Terry Brush, [email protected] Councilor of the American Chemical Society Kurt Heinselman, [email protected] residing within the section area is an ex officio member of the Board of Directors. Copyright 2003, Northeastern Section of the American Chemical Society, Inc. The Nucleus November 2003 3 The James James Flack Corporate Patrons AstraZeneca R&D Boston Flack Norris Norris Corporate Sponsors 1 By Avery A. Ashdown , M.I.T. Aerodyne Research Inc. Award When James F. Norris began his assist- Cambridge Isotope Laboratories for Outstanding Achievement antship in the Chemistry Department New England BioLabs, Inc. in the Teaching of Chemistry of the Massachusetts Institute of Tech- Sigma-RBI nology in October 1895, he was Strem Chemicals Inc. In 1948 the Northeastern Section was a twenty-four years old and fresh from beneficiary of the estate of Anne C. the doctorate awarded by Johns Hop- Donors Norris, the widow of James Flack Nor- kins University in June of that year. Consulting Resources Corp. ris, with an outright gift of $10,000 Born in Baltimore, Maryland, January and the sharing of the residue of her 20, 1871, he was one of nine children Houghton Chemical Company estate in equal parts with M.I.T. “…to of the Reverend and Mrs. Richard Nor- Organix Inc. perpetuate the memory of my said hus- ris (Methodist). His elementary school- band James F. Norris.” ing was at Miss Jennie Gardner's A committee was set up to explore School for Boys in Georgetown, D. C., how best to use the money, with Gus- where his father was serving as a pas- New Members tavus J. Esselen as one of the prime tor. Later he attended the Central High Includes members relocated to the movers. The decision was announced School in Washington. While in this Northeastern Section in January, 1950 that a James Flack school, he was a member of the Drum Invitation to attend a Section Norris Award shall be founded for out- Corps, High School Cadets. Secondary meeting standing achievement in the teaching education completed, he enrolled in You are cordially invited to attend of chemistry, particularly when demon- Johns Hopkins University in 1889 and one of our upcoming Section meetings strated at college or secondary school remained through years of graduate as guest of the Section at the social levels, rather than shown in research. study, leading to the doctorate in chem- hour and dinner preceding the meeting. This approach to memorialize Norris istry in 1895. At what exact age chem- Please call Marilou Cashman for a recognized the emphasis he placed on istry began to hold his interest is not reservation, letting her know that you teaching, and the Committee’s feeling certain but it must have been before are a new member. ◆ that another award for outstanding 1892 when he was teaching this sub- research would be lost in the crowd. ject in the University of Maryland. His The early recipients were chosen final year at J.H.U., 1894-5, was by a secret committee. But in 1954 the brightened by an appointment as a Fel- Directions Norris Award Committee was estab- low (stipend $375, plus tuition). His Holiday Inn, Newton lished as one of the elected committees life-long pursuit of travel in summer, of the Section. chiefly in Europe, began at this time. 399 Grove Street The first presentation was made in In 1892 he became the official delegate From I-95/128 Southbound May, 1951 at the Harvard Club to of the students of Johns Hopkins Take Exit 21B/22 keeping sharp right George Shannon Forbes, an old friend University to the 300th Celebration of (“MBTA”) into Grove St. After cross- of Norris, an outstanding teacher at the University of Dublin. In the ing over Rte. 95/128, The Holiday Inn both Harvard and, in retirement, at summer of 1894 he worked with the is the first building on the left. Parking Northeastern University. Since then the U.S. Coast Survey, stationed at Lynn, at the rear. award has been made annually to out- Massachusetts. The summer of 1896 An elevator to the lobby serves all lev- standing teachers at all levels. saw him, with Henry Fay (M.I.T.), els.