Philip J. Elias, 2023 LVACS Chair-elect, has been named 2024 Volunteer-of-the-Year for the Lehigh Valley Section by ACS and will compete with other local section volunteers for the title of ACS Volunteer-of-the-Year. Philip graduated from Muhlenberg College (‘22) and has been an engaged member of the LVACS since his senior year. He started volunteering at NCW events and was elected as the section Chair-elect for 2023. In 2023, Philip became the section’s NCW and CCEW coordinator, organizing several outreach events at our local ISE partner, Da Vinci Science Center and with the PA Migrant Education Program’s "Lights on After School" event and STEM Saturdays at the Allentown Public Library. Philip also judged at the Lehigh Valley Science Fair and did demonstrations at Science Fairs within the section such as the Southern Lehigh STEAM Expo and Pocono Mountain West Night of Science for middle and high school students. In addition to these outreach activities, Philip organized the September LVACS meeting at Evonik including lab tours and talks (largest attendance for a section meeting in many years). Philip has grown, over the past 3 years, in his role from participating volunteer to leader of events. He developed the entire program for the September Evonik visit, which brought a company new to the section into partnership with us. He also planned our NCW outreach event at Da Vinci Science Center this year, including all arrangements with Da Vinci staff and ordering of supplies. Thanks, Philip! We’re lucky to have you. See January 2024 Octagon article here.
