Give to Chemistry

Modern science depends on interactive, vertical teams - undergraduates, graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and faculty - working together to address compelling and exciting questions about our world. Join us in building the innovations that will shape the future by supporting Chemistry Research Excellence, Graduate Fellowships, and Undergraduate Awards. Whether you choose to give back through an annual gift, establishing an endowment, or supporting a department funding priority, every dollar counts.To learn more about opportunities to support the Department of Chemistry, please contact the School of Natural Sciences Director of Development Melissa King at 713-348-5608 or klm16@rice.edu.

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Current Endowments and Awards

Ed Billups Research Endowment: The Dr. Ed Billups (1939- , Professor of Chemistry 1970-) Research Endowment in Chemistry was established in 2016 by Dr. Long-Jin Lin (a former student), in honor of Dr. Billups. The fund was created to provide funding for undergraduate students participating in research during the summer.
Robert F. Curl Legacy Fund: The Robert F. Curl (1933-2022, Professor of Chemistry 1958-2022) Legacy Fund was established in 2022 to honor the life and legacy of Dr. Curl. Dr. Curl is the recipient of the Nobel Prize (1996) together with Dr. Richard Smalley and Dr. Harold Kroto for their discovery of fullerenes. This discovery started the development of modern nanotechnology. The fund will provide fellowships and support for chemistry graduate students and chemistry undergraduate students to advance research.
Arthur L. Draper Award: The Arthur L. Draper (1928-1998, former Alumnus, Class of 1951) Award in Chemistry was established in 1999, by Joan L. Draper (wife) in honor of her late husband and his commitment to education, chemistry, and Rice University. The award recognizes outstanding undergraduates in chemistry.
Paul S. Engel Research Endowment: The Paul S. Engel (1942- ), Professor of Chemistry 1970-) Research Endowment was established in 1998, by Rose C. Engel to honor her son. The fund was created to support undergraduate research in chemistry, more specifically to provide stipend support for summer undergraduate research.
Norman Hackerman Fellowship: The Norman Hackerman (1912-2007, University President and Professor of Chemistry 1970-1985) Fellowship in Chemistry was established on Dr. Hackerman’s 90^th birthday to celebrate and honor his lifetime achievements. The first recipient of the award, Paul Cherukuri, had the honor of Dr. Hackerman presenting the award himself in December 2006.
Marjory Meyer Hasselmann Fellowship: The Marjory Meyer Hasselmann Fellowship was established in 1980 by Marjory Meyer Hasselmann for Post- Graduate Studies in the Field of Chemistry.
Stephen C. Hofmann Award: A portion of Stephen’s Hofmann’s (former Alumnus, Class of 1986) estate was bequeathed to Rice University to be used for the need-based support of Graduate Students in the Department of Chemistry. This fellowship was established in 1998.
John L. Margrave Thesis Award: The John L. Margrave (1924-2003, E.D. Butcher Professor of Chemistry 1963-2003) Thesis Award was established in 1995 to recognize graduate students who authored a truly outstanding dissertation thesis. Dr. Margrave took pride in reading the dissertations of the students in chemistry and wanted to recognize those who provided an exceptional scientific dissertation.
George Holmes Richter Memorial Fund: The George Holmes Richter (1904-1987, Professor of Chemistry 1931-1974) Memorial Fund was established in 1988, to be used to support undergraduate research, primarily during the summers.
E. S. Stauffer-Rothrock Scholarship: The Stauffer-Rothrock (1897-1964, former Alumnus, Class of 1917) Scholarship was established in 1968 in memory of E.S. Rothrock and provides stipends for chemistry graduate students.
Zevi and Bertha Salsburg Memorial Award Fund: The Zevi W. (1928-1970), Professor of Chemistry 1954-1970) and Bertha Salsburg Memorial Award Fund was established in 1990 and annually recognizes a Will Rice College freshman with the highest GPA, as well as outstanding undergraduates in Chemistry.
Richard B. Turner Memorial Lecture Series: The Richard B. Turner (1916-1971, Professor of Chemistry 1951-1971) Memorial Lecture Series, which features outstanding organic chemists, started in 1977 with a lecture by Robert Burns Woodward. The prestigious lecture series continues to recognize R.B. Turner and his legacy at Rice. Additionally, the department recognizes outstanding undergraduate and graduate students in the field of organic chemistry with the Turner Award.
Harry B. Weiser Scholarship: The Harry B. Weiser (1887-1950, Professor of Chemistry 1915-1950) Scholarship in Chemistry was established in 1979 by his family and friends and is awarded annually to our students for excellence.