The Charles R. Bennett ‘Service Through Chemistry’ Award

Every year the Orange County Section of the American Chemical Society seeks nominations for the Charles R. Bennett “Service Through Chemistry” Award. This award recognizes contributions of chemists to society in the broadest sense.

The award was started in 1972 and was renamed in 2003 to honor Charles R. Bennett, a long-time active member of the Orange County Section. He was a well-respected and highly knowledgeable consultant who played an active public role on many environmental issues, both international and local. He served on the ACS Committee on Environmental Improvement at the national level.

Previous Recipients
2022Sanda SunIrvine Valley College
2020Brent ShentonValencia High School, Placentia
2017Dr. James NowickChemistry Dept., University of California, Irvine
2016Dr. Carol GrimesGolden West College, Huntington Beach
2008Dr. Ara ApkarianChemistry Dept., University of California, Irvine
2007Dr. Patrick WegnerChemistry Dept., Cal State University, Fullerton
2005Ms. Margaret CarlbergCornelia Connelly High School, Anaheim
2004Dr. Don BlakeChemistry Dept., University of California, Irvine
2003Dr. John HemmingerChemistry Dept., University of California, Irvine
1999Dr. Barbara J. Finlayson-PittsChemistry Dept., University of California, Irvine
1998Ms. Miriam CardenasWaste Management, Inc., Cerritos
1998Dr. Yvonne ShenOrange County Water District
1997Mr. Frank BaumannEnvironmental Management, California Department of Public Health
1996Dr. Maria LinderBiochemistry Dept., Cal State University, Fullerton
1995Dr. George E. MillerChemistry Dept., University of California, Irvine
1994Honorable Edward R. RoyceMember from California, US House of Representatives
1993Dr. Lloyd R. SnyderUnocal Corporation
1992Dr. Roshantha A. ChandraratnaFounder, Io Therapeutics, Inc., Santa Ana
1991Dr. John D. RobertsChemistry Dept., Caltech
1990Dr. Marjorie C. CaserioChemistry Dept., University of California, Irvine
1989Dr. Mario MolinaChemistry Dept., University of California, Irvine
1988Dr. John SeinfeldChemistry Dept., Caltech
1987Dr. Mare TaageperaSchool of Physical Sciences, University of California, Irvine
1986Dr. Sidney W. BensonChemistry Dept., University of Southern California
1985Dr. Eugene RobertsCity of Hope National Medical Center
1984Dr. Miriam KastnerScripps Institution of Oceanography, La Jolla
1983Dr. Donald C. YoungUnocal Corporation
1982Dr. James C. SternbergBeckman Instruments, Inc., Brea
1981Dr. Robert M. HorowitzUS Department of Agriculture
1980Dr. Irving S. BengelsdorfScience Writer, Los Angeles Times
1979Dr. T. Roy FukutoUniversity of California, Riverside
1975Dr. F. Sherwood RowlandChemistry Dept., University of California, Irvine
1974Dr. Arnold O. BeckmanBeckman Instruments, Inc., Brea
1973Dr. James N. Pitts, Jr.Chemistry Dept., University of California, Irvine
1972Dr. Arie Jan Haagen-SmitChemistry Dept., Caltech