In a letter dated September 20, the American Chemical Society (ACS) notified President George Brushaber of its decision to award approval and certification to Bethel University’s highly-regarded Chemistry program. Fewer than 20 schools in the state have been accorded approval by the ACS.

Founded in 1876, the ACS is a non-profit professional association with 160,000 members at all degree levels and in all fields of chemistry. ACS-approved programs undergo an official, multi-step review process and must meet a stringent set of guidelines before certification is granted.

According to Chemistry department chair Ken Rohly, faculty have been working towards achieving this status since the 1980s. “It’s very rewarding to be accorded this distinction after such a long commitment towards the goal,” he notes.

An ACS-approved chemistry program gives institutions an edge in attracting top potential students who are looking for established, rigorous programs, can provide advantages to those applying to graduate-level chemistry programs, and expand opportunities for employment and professional development upon graduation.