Purpose: To recognize outstanding research and leadership in polymer science.
Nature: The award consists of a plaque and an honorarium of $2000. The award is usually presented biennially in odd-numbered years at the Fall meeting of the Polymer Chemistry Division. The recipient is expected to present an address at a symposium in his/her honor. Travel expenses to the symposium are paid in addition to the honorarium. Speakers for the symposium, organized by the Polymer Division program chair and the nominator, will include the Mark Scholars who are selected in the same year, as well as speakers selected by the Mark Awardee.
Establishment and Support: The award was established in 1976 and is administered by the Polymer Chemistry Division. In 1989, the award was named the Herman F. Mark Polymer Chemistry Award. The award is sponsored by Elsevier, publishers of the journal Polymer. The Dow Chemical Company Foundation and the Polymer Chemistry Division are previous sponsors of the award.
Previous Recipients: Paul J. Flory, Carl S. Marvel, Maurice L. Huggins, Herman F. Mark, John D. Ferry, Charles G. Overberger, Walter H. Stockmayer, Michael Szwarc, E. J. Vandenberg, Harry R. Allcock, James E. McGrath, James Economy, Murray Goodman, Robert Grubbs, Henry K. Hall, Jr., Robert W. Lenz, Leo Mandelkern, Otto Vogl, William J. MacKnight, and Donald R. Paul.
Rules for Eligibility: A nominee must be a member or affiliate of the ACS Division of Polymer Chemistry. Consideration shall be given to outstanding research accomplishments and contributions to the advancement of polymer science through teaching, research, technical leadership and scientific writings. The award shall be granted to an individual without regard to race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, or sexual orientation.
Nomination Procedure: All submission and review of nominating documents is now being handled electronically. The nominating package, including a synopsis of the accomplishments of the nominee, a curriculum vitae, and a maximum of five reprints or other supplementary material, shall be submitted electronically as pdf files to the Awards Chairman for distribution to the selection committee. A maximum of three supporting letters, which contain factual information about the candidate not provided in the nominating document may be submitted. A single pdf file containing all the nominating and supporting information is preferred but separate pdf files are acceptable. Nominators are asked to avoid excessively lengthy nomination packages and adhere to a 100 page limit for the entire package. The nomination and its accompanying material for the 2009 award must be received by the Awards Chairs no later than November 1, 2008. Email nominating material to: Professor Robert B. Moore, Department of Chemistry, 1103 Hahn Hall (0212), Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, rbmoore3@vt.edu or Professor Thomas A. P. Seery, Institute of Materials Science, U-136, University of Connecticut, 97 North Eagleville Road, Storrs, CT 06269-3136, seery@mail.ims.uconn.edu.