Chemistry educator honored with 2019 Chancellor's Alumni Excellence Award

October 18, 2019 – DENTON – Texas Woman’s University alumna and internationally recognized chemist E. Ann Nalley, Ph.D., has been named the 2019 recipient of the TWU Chancellor’s Alumni Excellence Award.

Throughout her career of more than 50 years, Nalley, the Clarence L. Page Endowed Chair of Mathematics and Science Education at Cameron University in Lawton, Oklahoma, has worked to advance the visibility of women in the traditionally male-dominated chemistry field. In July 2019, she was honored by the International Union of Pure Applied Chemistry as one of its Distinguished Women in Chemistry or Chemical Engineering.

“It is my honor to recognize Dr. Nalley’s accomplishments as an educator and role model for women in science,” said Carine Feyten, Ph.D., TWU Chancellor and President. “At TWU, we believe that when you educate a woman, you empower the world. Dr. Nalley’s concerted efforts to guide young women into science fields has opened up new opportunities for generations of students.”
Nalley received her Ph.D. in radiation chemistry from TWU in 1975.

In 2016, she received the Stanley C. Israel Regional Award for Advancing Diversity in the Chemical Sciences. Other accomplishments include being elected national president of the American Chemical Society, the world’s largest chemical society, and being recognized as Oklahoma Chemist of the Year, the first woman to be so honored. In 2001, the Texas Woman’s Alumni Association honored Nalley with its Distinguished Alumni Award.

“I’m a proud alumna of Texas Woman’s University,” Nalley said. “My degree allows me to share my love for chemistry. I’ve directed hundreds of undergraduates in chemistry research and provided thousands of students with internship opportunities and experiences through summer science academies and other STEM outreach activities throughout my career. I truly value the education I received at TWU, which has enabled me to impact chemistry throughout the world.”

Established in 2011, the Chancellor’s Alumni Excellence Award recognizes TWU graduates for exceptional accomplishment in a career field and/or public service. In addition, recipients must be recognized for national and/or international involvement.

Selection for this annual award is determined by a representative committee of university faculty, administrators, alumni and students.
Recipients are honored permanently on a recognition wall on the second floor of the Administration Conference Tower on the TWU Denton campus. Honorees for this award are invited to TWU to share their expertise and experiences with faculty and students. Nalley will receive her honor at a ceremony at 4:30 p.m., Oct. 22, on the TWU Denton campus.

Previous Chancellor’s Alumni Excellence honorees are:

• Donna L. Schloss, PNP-C, U.S. Department of State (retired)
• Jay-lin Jane, Ph.D., starch chemistry researcher and educator
• Beverly Huston Sgro, former Secretary of Education for the state of Virginia
• Kathleen Robinson, Ph.D., retired Clemson University Research Professor
• Holly Williams, senior associate dean, University of Texas at Austin College of Fine Arts
• Nancy Moody, Ph.D., past president, Tusculum College
• Deneese L. Jones, Ph.D., past provost, Drake University
• Captain Maggie Richards, Ph.D., U.S. Navy (retired)
• Angienetta Johnson, Ph.D., retired NASA Administrator
• Pat Costner, retired senior scientist, Greenpeace International

Funding for the Chancellor’s Alumni Excellence Award is provided by Ann Stuart, Ph.D., TWU Chancellor and President Emerita. Ann Stuart came to TWU in 1999 as the 10th president for the university. She retired in 2014 as chancellor and president, having brought significant changes to the university. In retirement, she supports a number of interests, including TWU scholarships, other TWU interests, the arts, nature, wildlife, food and shelter for the less fortunate, and animal rescue and care.