PLAINVIEW, TX — Wayland Baptist University’s student chapter of the American Chemical Society has received the Outstanding Student Community Award, the highest level of recognition ACS presents to student chapters and other student communities.
“The stated goal of the chapter is to be a platform from which students can successfully launch into their careers,” said Dr. Robert Moore, professor of chemistry in Wayland’s Kenneth L. Mattox School of Mathematics and Sciences. “The chapter prepares students by providing them with community outreach experience, supporting student research, and connecting students with peers and professionals.”
The ACS Society Committee on Education evaluates annual reports submitted by U.S. student chapters, international student chapters, and graduate student organizations. Reviewers consider each community’s programs and activities before assigning one of three recognition levels: Outstanding, Commendable, or Honorable Mention.
For the 2025–2026 academic year, ACS recognized 125 student communities as Outstanding, 168 as Commendable, and 116 with Honorable Mention. Wayland was one of 11 Texas-based student communities receiving the top rating. ACS lists recipients by award level rather than assigning numerical rankings within each level.
The other Texas student communities receiving Outstanding recognition were Angelo State University, El Paso Community College, Midland College, Texas A&M International University, the Texas A&M University Graduate Student Organization, Texas Christian University, Texas Wesleyan University, The University of Texas at San Antonio, The University of Texas at Tyler, and West Texas A&M University.
Texas student communities receiving Commendable recognition were Midwestern State University, Rice University, Tarleton State University, Texas A&M University, Texas Lutheran University, Texas State University, Texas Tech University, Texas Woman’s University, the University of Houston, the University of St. Thomas, and The University of Texas Permian Basin.
Moore said this is believed to be the first time Wayland’s chapter has earned Outstanding status. The chapter has received an ACS award each year since it was reactivated during the 2021–2022 academic year after disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Chapter activities have included visits to graduate schools and industry sites, presentations by scientists and other professionals, attendance at professional meetings, and support for student research. Members have also presented chemistry demonstrations at schools in Plainview, Hale Center, and Lubbock; participated in science-focused educational trips; conducted park cleanups; documented collected litter in the Texas Litter Database; and served the College Heights Food Pantry.
Carter Biggs serves as the chapter’s current president. A chapter representative will receive the award plaque during the student chapter award ceremony at ACS Spring 2027, scheduled for March 21–25 in New Orleans. Wayland students also plan to present five research posters and a poster highlighting the chapter’s activities and success during the meeting.
A complete list of 2025–2026 Student Communities Award recipients is available at https://www.acs.org/funding/awards/student-chapter-award/past-recipients.html.
