National Organization for the Professional Advancement of Black Chemists and Chemical Engineers


The National Organization for the Professional Advancement of Black Chemists and Chemical Engineers or NOBCChE is a nonprofit, professional organization. NOBCChE's goal is to increase the number of minorities in science, technology, and engineering fields. The organization accomplishes this by creating bonds with professionals working at science-related companies and faculty at local school districts in order to get more minorities to pursue a career in science and engineering fields. NOBCChE focuses on establishing diversity programs for the professional development of young kids and to spread knowledge in science and engineering. NOBCChE chapters can be found nationwide.

History

NOBCChE was co-founded in 1972 by a group of chemists and chemical engineers. Initially, the organization was financially aided by the Haas Community Fund and Drexel University. After receiving positive feedback and interest from other black chemists and chemical engineers, the founders decided to expand on their idea and set up a structured idea of what they wanted the society to emphasize. Two years later, the first national meeting was held in New Orleans, LA. At the conference, black chemists and chemical engineers found that they could discuss career-related issues with others who were in similar fields. Today, the national conference features various workshops, research presentations, and high school science bowls. NOBCChE also presents the Percy L. Julian Award, given to African-American scientists who have made significant contributions to the areas of pure or applied research in science or engineering.

Founders of NOBCChE

The President has the overall responsibility for affecting the objectives of NOBCChE, oversees the day-to-day activities of the organization, and is the official representative of the organization. For over 45 years, talented, dedicated, and passionate professionals from industry, academia, and government have volunteered their time to lead the organization and advance the mission of creating an eminent cadre of people of color in STEM. Each NOBCChE President develops his or her own set goals with corresponding initiatives and events.
#YearNational PresidentAffiliation*
11974-1980Dr. William GuilloryDrexel University
21981-1984Dr. John B. Sapp, Jr.Texas Southern University
31984-1986Dr. Edward D WaltonUS Naval Academy
41986-1989Dr. Phillip MerchantExxon Mobil
51989-1993James EvansLawrence Livermore National Laboratories
61994-2001Winifred Burks-HouckLawrence Livermore National Laboratories
72001-2003Ella L DavisPQ Corporation
82003-2005Dr. Marquita QuallsGlaxoSmithKline
92005-2007Dr. Joseph FranciscoPurdue University
102007-2013Dr. Victor McCraryJohns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory
112013-2015Dr. Judson Haynes, IIIProcter & Gamble
122015–2017Dr. Talitha HamptonAstraZeneca
132017-2019Dr. Emanuel WaddellUniversity of Alabama in Huntsville
142019–PresentDr. Murrell GodfreyUniversity of Mississippi

*Affiliation at the time of election