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Two New Managers Join Rubber Division
As of July 1st, Melanie Avdeyev has transitioned to be the Division's Expo & Future Sites Manager, while we welcome Beth Berkheimer as our Meetings Manager. Beth joins us with 20 years of experience at GOJO Industries, Inc., most recently as a Meeting Planner. Since 2006, Melanie was the Division's Office & Meetings Manager. We wish both ladies good luck in their new positions, and hope you will join us in welcoming them during the expo in October.
Rubber Division Election Information
Beginning June 30 at 8:00 a.m. EDT, the Rubber Division, ACS Executive Committee Election will be open to all members and affiliate members in good standing. Your vote counts in determining new officers and Area Directors for 2010. In turn, these are the Members who will represent you on the Executive Committee and will help the Division continue to move forward in offering valued service to you.
To cast your vote online once you have your security code, click here. 
To view the Candidate Biographies, click here. 
All members and affiliate members in good standing with a valid email address will receive a message with their security code and the online voting link. Those without an email address will receive a paper ballot in the next few days. If you have questions or concerns, please contact Membership Manager Linda McClure 
This election will end at 5:00 p.m. EDT on August 31.
Housing & Registration are OPEN for Rubber Expo
Register today for Rubber Expo & 176th Technical Meeting from October 13-15 in Pittsburgh, PA. Advance Registration ends on October 5, 2009. Also make your Hotel Reservations at any one of our five contracted hotels (the Westin being the host hotel). We are aware that other companies have contacted some exhibitors and visitors, falsely telling them the rooms are almost sold out. Please know that these individuals are giving out false information and their room rates are much higher than what we have negotiated. If you have concerns, please call 330-972-7814.
Rubber Division, ACS Mourns Loss of Long-Term Employee and Friend, Exposition and Future Sites Manager, Mrs. Susan H. Barr
The Rubber Division of the American Chemical Society (ACS) wishes to let all our friends in the industry, academia and elsewhere know of the recent loss of our dear colleague and friend. At 4:30 a.m. on Wednesday, June 3, 2009, Mrs. Susan (Sue) H. Barr passed away. Sue started with the Rubber Division on February 19, 1995, serving as Assistant Librarian and then Secretary/Publications Specialist. On January 26, 2001, she was hired full-time under the new Rubber Division structure, as the Exposition and Future Sites Manager, also responsible for the TPE Conferences, Science & Technology Awards banquet, Housing and Registration Services and more.
Sue will be best remembered for her beautiful smile, blond hair, congenial attitude, professional integrity and ability to work hard then take the time to relax with friends. She was the cornerstone for managing the Rubber Division's annual expositions and will be deeply missed by her family, friends on the staff, the officers, members, exhibitors, contractors, vendors and every person she touched during her life. On behalf of the entire Rubber Division staff and her family, we wish to thank all those of you who worked with and supported Sue Barr during these past years. If you wish to pass on your condolences to the family, please contact Ed Miller 
In Memorium
Sue grew up in Brecksville and lived most of her life in the Akron area. She was employed in the rubber division at American Chemical Society, loved gardening, playing the guitar, and was loved by everyone.
Preceded in death by parents, John and Lucy Hutchinson, she is survived by husband, Don; sons, Damian and Brendan (Alicia); brothers, Ken (Judy), Tom (Carol) and Greg (Terry) Hutchinson; many in-laws, nieces, nephews, and many friends far and wide.
Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society , 525 N. Broad St., Canfield, OH 44406. To view/sign the funeral home guestbook, click here
Centennial Coverage
We would like to thank everyone who attended our hugely successful Centennial Celebration on May 4. For coverage information, please see Rubber & Plastics News May 4, 2009 Issue and the WKSU Interview by Jeff St. Clair .
6th Annual Student Colloquium
We are now accepting abstracts for papers and posters for presentation at the 6th Annual Student Colloquium during the 176th Technical Meeting & Rubber Expo of the Rubber Division ACS at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on Wednesday, October 14, 2009. Please visit the 2009 Student Colloquium page for more information.
Ferris State University Internships: WMRG Seeks Your Help
As we are all aware, the economy in Michigan has significantly weakened in the past year and the students in the rubber program at Ferris State are having a difficult time trying to find internship locations. The lack of internship locations is particularly distressing to underclassmen in the rubber program, primarily first year internship students, who are required to have an internship to progress in the degree program.
We, on the West Michigan Rubber Group board, are asking for your help in placing these students in internship positions this summer. If your company or a company you know is capable of hosting a Ferris State rubber program intern we would greatly appreciate your assistance.
Rubber Mirror: Reflections of the Rubber Division's First 100 Years
In 1909, a courageous group of twenty-eight rubber chemists, members of the American Chemical Society took a bold move and formed a subsection of the society -- the India Rubber Chemistry Section -- to discuss issues more pertinent to the industries for which they worked. The impetus for their almost rebel-like decision was not self-aggrandizement but a simple desire to share information about the properties of rubber. Through this book, as it reveals a little of their identities--often not at all related to rubber--the reader can come to know those members of the Rubber Division and their contributions to the industry. To see more information, download a sample, and purchase this new book, please visit the Rubber Mirror page.
You may also be interested in the Akron Beacon Journal article by Mark J. Price about the tape recordings of interviews Mr. Inman used as research for the Rubber Mirror. Later this year, we plan to make these recordings available to you through this Web site.
The Tire Society and Rubber Division, ACS Announce Administrative Services Agreement for 2009
Akron, Ohio, USA - February 20, 2009 - The Tire Society and the Rubber Division of the American Chemical Society have entered into an agreement for 2009 in which the administrative functions of The Tire Society will be evaluated for possible future support by the Rubber Division administrative staff. Other potential collaborations will also be considered. This action recognizes the need for such business partnerships to create synergy from sharing resources and expertise, a theme particularly relevant in the current global economic climate. It also offers a significant opportunity to increase value to both organizations and their members through the Rubber Division's professional administrative staff, mutual resources and similar technical interests. [read more ]
Best Paper Committee Announces 2008 Winners
The Best Paper Committee of the Rubber Division, ACS is pleased to announce the winners of the Best Paper and Best Symposium Awards for the 174th Technical Meeting held October 14-16, 2008, in Louisville, Kentucky.
Best Paper Award: Paper Number 72, Molecular Structure and Processing Characteristics of a Granular Gas-phase Metallocene EPDM Rubber by Wenbin Liang, Solomon Tang, Rajan Vara, Cristiano Bette, Tim Clayfield, Sandra Watson and Sherrika Daniel (The Dow Chemical Company Elastomers R&D).
Best Paper Honorable Mention: Paper Number 45, Nitrogen Inflation of Tires by Walter H. Waddell, R. Christopher Napier and Donald S. Tracey (ExxonMobil Chemical Company).
Best Symposium Award: Advances in Tire Technology moderated by Walter H. Waddell (ExxonMobil Chemical Company) and Syed Mowdood (Pirelli SPA).
Renew Your Membership (or Join!) Today
You can now renew your membership without logging-in to the Members Only section by going straight to our Secure 2009 Online Membership Form. You will first select all the membership and journal options you wish to purchase, then continue to the login/create account screen. If you have never used this system--and it isn't the same as the Members Only system--you should create an account (if you already have one, it will let you know). Then fill in your credit card information to complete your purchase. A confirmation message/receipt will be emailed to the address you provided. Please allow us 2 business days to update the Members Only system to reflect your purchases, and thank you for your support of the Rubber Division, ACS.
100 People and Innovations
We would love to have your input to help us determine the top 100 people and innovations that shaped our industry. The individuals can be scientists, corporate executives, members of the Rubber Division or any person who has made a substantial contribution to our industry. The innovations can be anything important that helped move our industry in a new direction or was previously unknown. Visit the 100th Anniversary page for more information.
Order Your 2009 RC&T Subscription Today
By ordering now, you will receive all 5 issues of the Rubber Chemistry and Technology journal for 2009. Visit the 2009 Subscription Page for pricing, policies and online ordering information.
Bob Gamache Memorial Educational Program
The Rubber Division, ACS and Trostel Ltd. have partnered to create the Bob Gamache Memorial Educational Program, honoring the dedication to education that the former President and CEO showed during his nearly 50 years in the rubber industry. Working with the Education & Publications Committee, Trostel has agreed to fund the development and future offerings of this program in his memory. The first courses will be available during the Fall 2009 Rubber Expo in Pittsburgh, PA.
New 100th Anniversary Sponsorship Opportunities
We now offer additional sponsorship opportunities related to our 100th Anniversary taking place next year. Sponsor our book, The Rubber Mirror: Reflections of the Rubber Division's First 100 Years by Henry J. Inman, by having your company's logo or name printed inside the book. Join in the premier event of the year and sponsor our Centennial Celebration taking place in May in one of many ways including purchasing a table or sponsoring the music. Join in the fun of our Birthday Bash in October by sponsoring the band, the giveaway bags, the ice sculpture, or by becoming a Patron, Supporter or Friend of the event.
For more information on these sponsorships, download the 100th Anniversary Sponsorship Information Page
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