Alumni in Chemistry

Keep in touch!

We invite you to submit your name, contact information, and any news you’d like to share with the chemistry department. Please include a graduating year in your message.

Notable Chemistry Alumni

There are so many great chemistry alumni that it’s impossible to recognize all of them! This page is dedicated to some who stand out.

Leo Welker 1903 in the Des Moines Register

Leo Welker, class of 1903, was featured in the Des Moines Register during Black History Month 2021. The article highlights Welker’s accomplishments in the sport of cycling and touches on his medical career and life after Grinnell.

Alumni establish Erickson Endowed Professorship of Chemistry

More than 35 alumni coordinated gifts to establish the Luther and Jenny Erickson Endowed Professorship of Chemistry. The position honors Luther Erickson, professor emeritus of chemistry, and Jenny Erickson, retired Forum director. Both were beloved mentors to countless students.

Read more about the professorship honoring the Ericksons

A scientist's journey to a career in technology

Nicole Lee Snoeberger '09 talks about her path to career discovery with science research students.]

Students and their guest alum wear 3D glasses

Chemistry Alumnus in the Classroom

Nathaniel Rosi '99 visits the Advanced Inorganic Chemistry class thanks to the Alumni in the Classroom program.

Gena Kucera Kanas and Eric Leggans tutorial students

Epidemiologist Talks About her Role in Public Health

Alumna Dr. Gena Kucera Kanas '97 shared her experience on a cancer epidemiology team.

Women Chemists in Academia

The chemistry major has become increasingly attractive to Grinnell women students, and many of these graduates have gone on to complete graduate and professional degree programs. Here we highlight those who pursue academic careers at colleges and universities.

Michaela Carlson ’13, Northland College
Laura Cesa ’11, University of Copenhagen
Hanna Key ’11, Davidson College
Amy Danowitz ’06, Clovis Community College
Elizabeth Stone '05, University of Iowa
Maria Nagan ’97, Stony Brook University
Heather Desaire ’97, University of Kansas
Jennifer Loertscher ’96, Seattle University
Elizabeth Harbron ’95, College of William and Mary
Karen Glover ’88, Clarke University
Deborah Breiter ’87, Rockford College
Keri Hornbuckle ’87, University of Iowa
Sandra Laursen ’85, University of Colorado
Tara Meyer ’84, University of Pittsburgh
Tricia Ferrett ’81, Carleton College
Margaret Tolbert ’79, University of Colorado
Alice Batts Apkarian ’78, retired from Saddleback College
Christine Kirmaier ’73, Washington University
Nancy Stewart Mills ’72, retired from Trinity University
Mary Sue Coleman ’65, former president Association of American Universities
Donna Renaud Silvert ’64, retired from Dalhousie University

Honorary Degree Recipients Who Were Chemistry Majors at Grinnell

Mary Sue Coleman ’65

Honorary Doctor of Science, Grinnell College, 2004
doctorate in biochemistry, University of North Carolina, 1970
faculty member, Biochemistry Department, University of Kentucky, 1971–89
dean of research and vice-chancellor, University of North Carolina, 1990–92
academic vice president and provost, University of New Mexico, 1993–96
president, University of Iowa, 1996–2002
president, University of Michigan, 2002–2014
Trustee of Grinnell College, 1996–2005

Randall Morgan, Jr. ’65

Honorary Doctor of Science, Grinnell College, 1992
M.D., Howard University, 1969
residency in orthopedic surgery, Passavant Hospital, Pittsburg
orthopedic surgery private practice, 1972–present
fellow of American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons and of American College of Surgeons
past-president of National Medical Association
Trustee of Grinnell College since 1993 (Life Trustee, 2005)

Rein Saral ’65

Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters, Grinnell College, 2005
M.D., John Hopkins University, 1969
internship (1970), residency (1971), and fellowship (1976), John Hopkins University
faculty, John Hopkins, 1974–91; including director of bone marrow transplant program
Emory Clinic, since 1991; director since 1993
medical director of Emory University Hospital, 2004

Tom Cech ’70

Honorary Doctor of Science, Grinnell College, 1987
Ph.D. in chemistry, University of California Berkeley, 1975
faculty member, University of Colorado, 1978–present
Nobel Prize in chemistry, 1989
Howard Hughes Medical Institute investigator, 1988–2009
National Medal of Science, 1995
president, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, 2000–2009
Trustee of Grinnell College, 1998–2014

Margaret Tolbert ’79

Honorary Doctor of Science, Grinnell College, 2007
Ph.D. in chemistry, California Institute of Technology, 1986
postdoctoral fellow, Stanford Research Institute, 1986–87
faculty member, University of Colorado-Boulder, chemistry and biochemistry
research group at the Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences focuses on understanding the chemistry and climate of planetary atmospheres
Award for Creative Advances in Environmental Science and Technology from the American Chemical Society (ACS), 2009

John W. Canady ’80

Honorary Doctor of Science, Grinnell College, 2008
M.D. University of Iowa College of Medicine
residencies in otolaryngology, University of Iowa; plastic and reconstructive surgery, University of Kansas Hospital
faculty member, Department of Plastic Surgery and Otolaryngology, University of Iowa Health Care
director of the Cleft Lip/Palate Program, University of Iowa Hospital and Clinics
Participates in free surgeries for underprivileged children and young adults in developing countries, with programs like “Operation Smile”