Chemistry Professor Recognized for Recruiting Women Faculty

Professor Kristin Bowman-James received an award for excellence from Iota Sigma Pi, a professional society that encourages women in chemistry, and will receive another from the American Chemical Society.

The awards, in part, recognize Bowman-James' efforts as department chair to increase faculty diversity. During her tenure, she recruited four new women faculty members, which placed KU second in the nation among the top 50 research departments of chemistry in percentage of women faculty.

According to the Chemical and Engineering News, KU in 2000 and 2001 was one of only three surveyed U.S. universities where women accounted for more than 20 percent of the faculty. The department has six female faculty members.