project Description
The Spectrum Kick-Off Presentation in September 2019 included an overview of all of the portraits displayed in the chemistry buildings. The portraits are largely a reflection of the faculty leadership over time and are, therefore, mostly depictions of white men. With no Black tenure-track faculty and only two tenure-track women faculty, the Department of Chemistry graduate program is markedly more diverse than the chemistry faculty. Graduate scholar Ayanna Jones brought the idea of displaying graduate photos to enhance the diversity of chemists depicted around the department.
All graduate scholars enrolled in January and February 2020 were invited to take headshots with Jessica Lily Photography for Work + Play in the chemistry building. Over 92% of enrolled students participated.
Facilities manager Jan McSherry oversaw the renovation of a little-used display area in the department into a portrait display. Todd Polley and Steve Krebs installed the finished photos. The portrait display was completed in time for our 2020 graduate recruitment weekend celebration.
The portraits remain on display in the third floor lobby or chemistry right outside of the department seminar room, Atwood 360. The goal is to continue this project in the future, taking portraits of each new class of scholars. In addition to diversifying the chemists on view in the department, the display is intended to communicate the message that graduate scholars are core members of our community whose presence is important, real, and impactful.
Audience
Chemistry graduate scholars and the entire chemistry community, including potential majors and graduate scholars.
Project Leadership
- Ayanna Jones, Graduate Scholar, founder of STEM in Color
- Todd Polley, Director
- Steve Krebs, Stockroom Manager
- Jan McSherry, Facilities Manager
Event Sponsors
This event was sponsored by the Department of Chemistry and the graduate program.