Credit:
Courtesy of Brian M. Mathes
The American Chemical Society has named Brian M. Mathes the recipient of the 2027 Award for Volunteer Service to the American Chemical Society. He is recognized for his ability to make the volunteering experience better for all, including young scientists and 50+-year members of ACS, and for his passion for sharing science and giving back.
From being an Eagle Scout to serving as chair of national-level committees of ACS, Mathes has never shied away from volunteering himself to get things done. “If not me, then who?” Mathes often asks himself, whether it be at an ACS Indiana Local Section meeting or meetings at his kids’ school. If he knows he has the time and sees everybody kind of looking around, wondering who is going to help out, Mathes steps up. “Being a volunteer is where the action is, and I love being in the action to make things happen,” Mathes says.
Mathes got his start in volunteering for ACS as a sophomore in college, attending Ball State University, through the ACS student chapter there. He has most recently spent 10 years both as a counselor at the ACS national level for the Indiana Local Section, as well as serving on the Committee on Membership Affairs (MAC) and the Committee on Committees (CONC)—notably during periods of change in the organization. He was part of a transformation to offer new membership options for members interested in the society and was part of the process for creating the newest ACS committee: the Committee on the Advancement of LGBTQ+ Chemists (CALC). “Through his advocacy, and his intentional transparency and communication, the proposal [for CALC] sailed through [ACS] Council,” wrote Bill Carroll, who served on CONC with Mathes, in a letter of support. Mathes’s ACS colleagues note his listening skills, his ability to bring humanity to the forefront, and his ability to walk the walk when it comes to getting things accomplished.
“I was inspired to become a chemist by a high school teacher who loved to show the wonders of science. I want to be that same bit of inspiration for someone else.”
And while his work at the national level has been transformative, his real drivers for volunteerism shine through at the local level and with younger chemists. “To this day, I think his strength is in mentoring young people,” says Robert A. Pribush, a member of the Indiana Local Section. Mathes has a special love for chemistry outreach and education: “I was inspired to become a chemist by a high school teacher who loved to show the wonders of science,” Mathes says. “I want to be that same bit of inspiration for someone else.” And he truly believes in giving back to others in the chemistry enterprise, “as others have been there for me,” he says. “I would not be in this position, both career and socially, without the efforts of countless others who have supported my career and endeavors.”One of his favorite events in his time volunteering was a “Front Porch” event held at ACS Spring 2023 in Indianapolis, for which he was on the executive committee for planning. “It was truly a novel event that allowed folks to visit and network and relate to the human element of the society.” He recalls one of his first volunteer opportunities in his local section as the public outreach officer, where he got to spearhead giving away T-shirts in Monument Circle in Indianapolis and creating novel advertisements for the IndyStar newspaper to help raise awareness for National Chemistry Week—work that led to winning his first ACS ChemLuminary Award. One of his more mainstay outreach events is a “Chemistry of . . .” series that has been ongoing for over 22 years now, locally and at national meetings. It started with the Chemistry of Beer and has seen other relatable topics like art, wine, fireworks, coffee, and more. “It is a great way to use these relatable topics to get chemistry knowledge and the ACS out to the public,” he says.
Mathes has at this point shown the value of chemistry to thousands of kids through outreach events at children’s museums and local schools: “I still get a thrill when the reaction happens and I get excited oohs and aahs from children and parents alike.” Mathes has been in the chemistry enterprise for over 30 years, being mentored and developing skills along the way, and finds real joy in being able to offer the same to the next generation of ACS leaders, encouraging his local section’s Younger Chemists Committee and ACS student chapters at local colleges. “It is really bringing it full circle for me 35 years later. I love to see them feel supported, come up with new programs, and to see their work come to life.”
Mathes believes there’s something for everyone in ACS: “The ACS is so large that you should be able to find something that you really like and you’re passionate about,” he says. Mathes advice is, if you find the niche you’re passionate about, impact that niche with your passion; you can grow from there.
The Award for Volunteer Service to the American Chemical Society is an ACS National Award given to members who have significantly contributed to the goals and objectives of the society.
