It has been a privilege to serve as President of the Society for Applied Spectroscopy during this year of progress and significant change. I would like to express my sincerest appreciation to all the dedicated Society volunteers, Journal staff, and National Office staff for their hard work and patience as we move into the future.
Journal. Mike Blades started as Editor-in-Chief of Applied Spectroscopy in July. With this came a change in the journal office to the University of British Columbia campus and appointment of a new Editorial Assistant, Kristin MacDonald. In August our Managing Editor Rebecca Airmet submitted her resignation after twelve years of dedicated work with the Society. Kristin MacDonald has now stepped into the Managing Editor position, and Joanne Jablkowski was recently hired as the Editorial Assistant. Our sincerest appreciation to Peter Griffiths, Rebecca Airmet, and LeNelle McInturff for their dedication and efforts on behalf of the journal and the Society over the last three years.
FACSS. The relationship between FACSS and SAS was strengthened this year through continued and frequent communication, and new involvement with the SciX conference. Financial support for Focal Point authors to attend SciX as invited speakers was provided to FACSS by SAS; these speakers were highlighted in the SciX program as Focal Point authors, providing increased publicity for Applied Spectroscopy and SAS. FACSS plans to invite select Focal Point authors for the 2013 conference and will be working closely with the journal on this initiative. SAS also provided funding to 2012 Program Chair Steve Ray for sponsorship of the conference spectroscopy sessions, again giving SAS additional visibility and publicity at the conference. Lastly, financial support was approved to help increase student attendance at the 2013 SciX conference.
Lippincott and Fateley Award Funds. Discussions with Michael “Micky” Myrick and Jim Rydzak of the Coblentz Society were begun at Pittcon 2012 on ways to increase the Lippincott and Fateley award endowments. The end result was a fundraising luncheon at SciX 2012 that was attended by 28 and included Peter Griffiths and Bruce Chase as speakers. A number of generous donations were also made by some members to help keep these prestigious awards alive. A repeat of this event for SciX 2013 in being discussed. Ongoing contributions to these funds are being accepted through the Society office.
ICORS (International Conference on Raman Spectroscopy). Support was provided to ICORS 2012 by FACSS and its member organizations through sponsorship of a lectureship at the conference. In exchange, FACSS and its member organizations were provided with the opportunity to have a table and distribute materials at the conference. SAS member Rina Dukor attended the conference and helped with these efforts. There was considerable, strong interest in forming a local SAS section in India with three top professors volunteering to become officers and many students wanting to join the Society.
Looking Back on 2012. This year marked the first awards to undergraduate research students through the SAS Undergraduate Student Travel Grant program. Four students were provided with travel funds to attend and present their research at SciX 2012. As a professor of only undergraduate students, I am particularly proud of this program and the opportunities it provides to students, the future of our Society. Lastly, our yearly Society events such as SAS Day and the Wine & Cheese Awards Reception at SciX, and the student events at Pittcon and SciX provided members with the opportunity to network, socialize, and enjoy the benefits of our great organization. I look forward to continuing to serve the Society next year and welcome Katherine Bakeev in as our President for 2013.
